Recycled Water Usage By Car Washes - Conservation, Development, And Utilization Of State Water Resources - CA Water

Section § 10950

This section defines key terms used in the regulation of different types of commercial car washes. It explains what is meant by 'conveyor car wash,' where cars move on a belt and drivers may stay inside or wait outside the vehicle; 'in-bay car wash,' where cars are stationary while machines or staff clean them; and 'self-service car wash,' where customers clean their own vehicles using provided tools. Additionally, it defines a 'water recycling system' as a system that reuses water in the car wash process.

The following definitions govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Conveyor car wash” means a commercial car wash where the vehicle moves on a conveyor belt during the wash and the driver of the vehicle can remain in, or wait outside of, the vehicle.

(b) “In-bay car wash” means a commercial car wash where the driver pulls into a bay, parks the car, and the vehicle remains stationary while either a machine moves over the vehicle to clean it or one or more employees of the car wash clean the vehicle, instead of the vehicle moving through a tunnel.

(c) “Self-service car wash” means a commercial car wash where a customer washes his or her own car with spray wands and brushes.

(d) “Water recycling system” means a water system at the car wash that captures and reuses water previously used in wash or rinse cycles.

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(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 545, Sec. 2. (AB 2230) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Section § 10951

If you're opening a new in-bay or conveyor car wash in California, and it's built after January 1, 2014, you need to make sure that at least 60% of the water used for washing and rinsing comes from a water recycling system or provided recycled water.

An in-bay car wash or a conveyor car wash permitted and constructed after January 1, 2014, shall do either of the following:

(a) Install, use, and maintain a water recycling system that recycles and reuses at least 60 percent of the wash and rinse water.

(b) Use recycled water provided by a water supplier for at least 60 percent of its wash and rinse water.

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(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 545, Sec. 2. (AB 2230) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Section § 10952

This rule doesn't apply to self-service car washes.

This part shall not apply to a self-service car wash.

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(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 545, Sec. 2. (AB 2230) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Section § 10953

This section means that cities and counties in California can make their own rules that require car washes to use more recycled water than state laws might mandate.

This part shall not be construed to limit the power of any city, city and county, or county to require more stringent levels of recycled water use at a car wash.

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(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 545, Sec. 2. (AB 2230) Effective January 1, 2013.)