Why the Correct Treatment of Vehicle Wash Waste Water is So Important

A Morclean 10m x 6m surfaced mounted wash pad, high screens, blue box interceptor, and ramps on order for installation at a Car Rental company based in Tunbridge Wells, to ensure that its vehicle wash water is collected and disposed of in line with the EU Water Framework Directive. 

Planned for an early February install, this blog post briefly explains why wastewater treatment is necessary for companies such as this, that regularly wash down vehicles on site:

Why Treat Waste Water?

Vehicle wash wastewater can contain phosphates, detergents, surfactants, oils, sediments, silts, copper, rubber, and other harmful metals. These pollutants can have a range of direct and indirect impacts, depending on the volume and frequency of discharge, the level of dilution, and whether it flows directly into a watercourse. 

Some of the chemical products used in car washes are as follows:

• Shampoos and Foams - made from a mixture of surfactants
• Traffic Film Remover (TFR) - made from strong alkalis such as sodium hydroxide
• Acid Wheel Cleaner - made from powerful acids such as Phosphoric, Hydrofluoric, and Hydrochloric Acid.

Detergents and vehicle dirt in wash water can impair water quality and have toxic effects on animal and plant life if disposed of incorrectly.

Correct Disposal of Wash Water

Best practice for commercial vehicle washing requires discharge to be directed to a foul sewer from a dedicated non-permeable area, via an interceptor or silt-trap. Where it is not possible to connect to a foul sewer, a collection unit should be used and all traps, separators, and interceptors should be emptied regularly by a registered waste collector.

Click the following link to learn more about our vehicle wash pad systems, or ring us on 01246 471147, or email us at info@morclean.com, to discuss your needs.