At the risk of saying out loud what most carwashers silently feel, the harsh Impact of droughts and water restrictions have provided a significant bonus to the carwashing business at large. Typically, residential carwashing is restricted and consumers are instead urged to utilize commercial carwashes. Nirvana!

Professional carwashes escape most restrictions due to the widespread perception of being more responsible in their water conservation as well as the potential economic downsides for workers if commercial business was restrained.

Due mostly to a number of very pro-active carwash associations and individual carwash owners over the years, key governmental agencies now quickly concede that automatic carwashes exercise judicious water conservation as part of their normal business process. A few agencies require a token acknowledgement from car washes as having recirculation systems that conserve water but most group commercial washing activities in one common bundle. As well, detailers who manually wash vehicles are spared due to their commercial nature if they practice low water-use techniques.

All Is Not Well In Paradise

Unfortunately for some, the playing field is not level and certain areas occasionally experience selfish infighting. With the increased flow of dollars, many seek a competitive edge by disparaging their business adversaries with conspicuous cries of foul play and calls for governmental exclusion.

Carwash owners who have invested thousands of dollars in sophisticated reclamation systems take noticeable exception to their fellow carwashers who fail to have the benefit of recirculation technology.

Finger-pointing also is extended to the mobile washing businesses that often come in conflict with their fixed-facility counterpart. Short-term gains are unsympathetically traded for an even longer term of sordid polarity.

Dysfunctional Image May Be Costly

Associations nationwide have diligently been lobbying their regional authorities of the benefits of professional carwashing technologies, earning their membership the safeguards of an informed or at least sensitized government.

Bureaucrats prefer to paint with a broad brush rather than risk walking a trail bordered by conflict within the ranks, so conspicuous infighting may prove counterproductive to the hard won status achieved by all the lobbying. Careful thought should replace the heat of emotion within the marketplace and calmer heads must prevail. Spite simply isn't right.

Take A Positive Initiative And Prepare

Absent any real standards provided by the Industry, it is wise for all carwash and detail operators to revisit the subject of conservation and realize that there are no guarantees of exclusion. You may very well have to prove your operation's worthiness when things get tight.

So, why wait. Take the initiative and be pro-active in your own backyard. Make a careful review and analyze how you can focus on your individual conservation efforts. Improve inefficient processes and introduce new technology that exemplifies your sincere commitment to conserve water.

Large automatic carwashes can focus greater attention on their process improvements through informational flyers. Detailers can focus similar attention on their miserly use of water in the exercise of their tasks by using water-stingy sprayers and closely managing conspicuous runoff.

An Educated Consumer Is A Powerful Resource

Take the time to educate your current customers about your contentious water management and blend your community benevolence with the very believable cost savings associated with water conservation. Being a good community neighbor as well as an astute businessman is not mutually exclusive; you must demonstrate that you are both to have most people openly accept your claims.

Every Day Is A Public Relations Event

Astute operators constantly search out the everyday opportunities to educate and persuade their clientele with basic information transfer. When it comes to conserving the environment and managing Mother Nature's resources, the possibilities remain endless and only limited by your individual innovation.

For example, placing a small sign in the restrooms, touting the installation of special water-saving fixtures, can subtly instill the thought of responsible conservation. Again, by repetition, noting that you have a rain collection system to capture and reuse rainwater to assist in irrigating landscaping. It would be wise to identify the collection points for greater believability.

Another idea, in times of increased water restrictions, is to post a sign apologizing for the slower than normal conveyor speed resulting from more stringent water conservation methods by reducing rinse nozzles and compensating with a slower, more deliberate rinse, thus taking a bit longer. The customers will likely empathize with the situation and embrace your conscientious action without any complaint of delay.

Or focus on another mundane task by making special note about maximizing the simple process of washing towels to minimize the wastewater that results. Make sure the washer is only run with full loads and have a sign posted to emphasize the point. If you are perceived as being almost fanatical about conservation and the prudent use of your resources, customers will become your community advocates.

Once you've got everything in place, take a few photos and send them with a story about your latest efforts to minimize waste and conserve water to the local elected officials and water authority staff to bolster awareness. You may even get an award or other special recognition for the positive community action.

Earn Their Business

Once a rainfall shortage results in increased conservation and restricted residential washing, you'll reap a just payback. Your efforts will be rewarded through having earned responsible recognition well enough in advance of the mandates to become everyone's favorite alternative to washing at home. Moreover, you will have likely picked up many customers along the way merely by their warm perception of your responsible, sharing attitude. All of that public relations effort has converted dozens of your customers to be community goodwill ambassadors. Raving fans, if you will.

You Snooze. You Lose!

But for all of this to be timely enough to really help, you must take action IMMEDIATELY. There are a lot of things to do. and many people with whom you must speak. Your first step is to develop a plan of action, starting with identifying your objectives. Take a tour of your operation and make notes. What do you need to say. as well as put into print? And who do you need to communicate with and persuade? Get Busy. and Good Luck!!

If I can help, simply e-mail me with your questions.

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