TEXAS, USA — Water restrictions are becoming tighter, drought conditions are more severe and no significant rainfall is in the forecast anytime soon across Central Texas. Now, being mindful of your water usage is more crucial than ever!
So, how can you conserve water? You can check for leaks and take shorter showers, but what about washing your car?
As people try to be mindful of their usage, some are starting to boycott car washes, but this could actually hurt more than help.
THE QUESTION
Can taking your vehicle to the car wash save water as opposed to washing it at home?
OUR SOURCES
Colin McDonald, Senior Policy Analyst at the Texas Water Foundation, and Shawn Kelley, Manager of Facilities, Safety and Support Services at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
THE ANSWER
Yes, not only can taking your car to the car wash conserve water, but it can also protect our local bodies of water.
WHAT WE FOUND
Kelley says on average, most car washes are going to use less water as opposed to hand washing your car at home.
"At a regular carwash, especially a modern carwash, most of the water gets recycled," Kelley said.
Juan Rodriguez, Manager at the Aladdin Car Wash in Temple, confirmed this is true for most car washes.
"90% of our wash system does use recycled water," said Rodriguez. "There are drains that are underneath the wash that lead into a tank, and then from that tank, it gets recycled, re-filtered and then pushed back through the system."
While car washes can reclaim water, our sources say taking a trip to the car wash can also be safer for the environment.
"If what's coming off your car is not going into grass or some sort of vegetated cover, it's going to go into the street and straight to your local water body," McDonald added. "That means all the phosphates from your soap which gives you your algae blooms, it means your heavy metals and your exhaust dust and grime that's on the bottom of your car is going to the waterway. It means copper dust from the brakes is going to your waterway. That's why it's almost always advised to go to a car wash regardless if we are in a drought or not."
McDonald shared some tips from the EPA that may be helpful if you can't get to a carwash:
- Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water-based cleaners
- Minimize water usage. Use a spray gun with flow restriction to minimize water volume and runoff.
- Wash on an area that absorbs water, such as gravel or grass. This can filter water before it enters groundwater, storm drains or creeks.
- Avoid washing cars on concrete or asphalt pavement unless it drains into a vegetated area. Only let wash water soak into the ground as long as you are using biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaners.
- When planning a car wash fundraiser, try developing a partnership with a commercial car wash facility, or use a safe location.
- Empty wash buckets into sinks or toilets.
If you have something you would like verified, email verify@kcentv.com or sdishon@kcentv.com.
More verifies by Reporter Sydney Dishon: