Reclaim Systems for High-Capacity Carwashes: A Comparative Look at Performance, Technology, and the Path Forward
By Michael Gordon
Modern carwashes are no longer judged solely on speed, shine, or customer experience. Increasingly, water stewardship is at the forefront of operational strategy. For a 135-foot conveyor tunnel washing 150 cars per hour, the math is staggering: at ~145 gallons per vehicle, that’s more than 26,000 gallons of water every hour. Without recycling, not only would the utility costs be crippling, but environmental compliance and community acceptance would be jeopardized.
Fortunately, reclaim water systems have become essential. By capturing 100 per cent of runoff (excluding carry-off) and treating it for reuse, operators can recycle roughly 20,700 gallons per hour in high-volume sites, slashing freshwater use and sewer discharge by 60–85 per cent.
The goal is clear: Reclaim systems must deliver water of sufficient clarity (below 50 NTU turbidity) and safety so it can be reused in nearly every stage of the wash except the final spot-free rinse. Achieving this requires more than tanks and pumps – it demands integrated solids separation, biological or chemical oxidation, and odor management.
Core Requirements for High-Capacity Reclaim
To meet the needs of tunnels processing 500–1,500 cars per day, reclaim systems must be engineered with precision. Essential design criteria include:
- Hydraulic Capacity: Handling 150–200 GPM, often with multiple pumps or treatment lines.
- Settling Volume: At least 4,500–6,000 gallons of in-ground pits, typically arranged in a three-stage series for mud, oil, and clarified water.
- Solids Separation: Hydrocyclone filters that remove particles down to ~5 microns, protecting pumps and nozzles.
- Oil & Floatables Removal: Dedicated compartments or coalescing media to skim oils and waxes.
- Odor & Organic Control: Aeration, ozone, UV, or biological treatment to prevent anaerobic conditions and “rotten egg” odors.
- Water Quality: Reuse-ready water at <50 NTU, TSS 15–100 ppm, and BOD 15–50 ppm—clear enough for high-pressure pumps, foaming arches, and undercarriage sprays.
- Robust Construction & Maintenance: Heavy-duty pumps, automated controls, and tanks designed for easy sludge removal every three to six months.
These design principles are grounded in Stokes’ Law, which governs how particles settle under gravity. By slowing flows and ensuring retention time, reclaim pits allow sediments, waxes, and road grit to separate naturally before finer polishing steps.
Conclusion
Car wash reclaim systems are no longer a “nice to have”—they are a cornerstone of profitable, sustainable operations. Whether you choose the simplicity of SoBrite, the automation of PurClean, the biological purity of Aqua Bio, the scalability of Velocity, or the customization of Con-Serv, the industry has proven solutions for every tunnel size and budget.
The next wave will not only reclaim water but restore it to a higher standard, leveraging microbiology and nanotechnology to ensure cleaner washes, happier customers, and a lighter environmental footprint.
For further technical details, see the full comparative analysis by BioTech Solutions at www.biotechsolutions.ai or call (931) BIO-TECH.
Michael Gordon is the chief innovation officer, BioTech Solutions and can be reached at mike@arcadianchemistrysolutions.com
Tip for Operators:
For maximum performance, pair reclaim systems with microbial additives and nanobubble oxygenation. This combination reduces sludge buildup, improves turbidity, and enhances odor control – especially in high-organic or high-volume wash environments.
For more information on Nobubble technology visit Chemical Reduction Solutions at
www.chemicalreductions.com or
Molear, www.Molear.com for more information.
