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Water Rating Scheme
The Car Wash Water Saver
Rating Scheme enables responsible car wash operators to demonstrate
their high environmental standards in both water use and the disposal
of waste water to sewer. It provides a unified branded benchmark,
which has been developed to help secure the future of commercial car
washes even in times of severe water shortages. While being a national
standard, it is also flexible enough for compliance with local water
restrictions.
The Scheme is for all
members of the vehicle washing industry and is administered by the
Australian Car Wash Association on a non-profit basis. At the moment
membership is voluntary but we urge you to join and support this most
worthwhile industry program.
The WRS has just received
accreditation from the federal Smart Approved WaterMark which is part
of the National Water Initiative. It is the outdoor system equivalent
to the indoor WELS 5 star product rating that you see on washing
machines etc.
As a member of the scheme
you will benefit by:
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gaining more security of
continued operation - when rainfall is so low that water
restrictions are declared. The water rating scheme is accepted in a
growing number of States and water authority areas as a minimum
requirement for being allowed to continue operating using mains
water supplies.
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using the star rating
signage to promote your car wash and attract new customers – our
market research tells us that many customers prefer to use car
washes that they know are using a minimum amount of water to wash
their cars. This applies everywhere, not only in those areas where
water restrictions are in force. With eye catching standardised
signage promoting an environmentally caring image, more car owners
will be attracted to using your car wash.
How the Water Rating
Scheme works:
The Car Wash Water Rating
Scheme measures the amount of mains potable (drinking) water used by
car wash equipment in a defined standard wash, and then rates that
equipment on its water efficiency. If one site has two or more types
of equipment, they are rated separately and the rating signs must be
displayed so as to clearly identify which rating applies to each type
of equipment.
The rating Scheme uses the
well-understood star rating system – five stars being the best result,
which indicates the lowest amount of potable water used per wash.
Initially the amount of
water used is assessed by the owner/operator of the site using a
detailed self-assessment guide provided to them. This is backed by an
Agreement and Code of Practice document which the owner/operator
signs.
A newly-rated site must be
independently audited within 3 months of being accepted into the
Scheme. Ecowise, a national and experienced audit firm, has been
appointed as the Scheme’s auditor. Independent auditors can also be
used, as long as they have been trained and certificated by Ecowise.
Once a car wash has been
successfully audited, it will receive rating signage and a public
information poster to display, plus additional promotional materials.
Continuing annual
compliance and registration in the Scheme is by means of regular water
meter readings and random independent audits to ensure that the
initial water efficiency standards are maintained.
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