SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — AB 2230, a California water-conservation bill authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) which requires all newly permitted car washes to use at least 60 percent recycled water, was signed into law today.
“The signing of this bill is another important step in water conservation,” commented Gatto. “Carwashes are among the biggest retail users of water. This bill will help us prevent water waste in the private sector, which will leave more safe, clean drinking water for Californians.”
California has struggled for years to establish standards to reduce water waste and compel homeowners to install higher-efficiency toilets and showers, but AB 2230 is the first step to adopt a sensible policy for a major commercial use. Recycled water technology for car washes is readily available and easy to install. 25% of car washes in California have already installed the necessary equipment.
Simple on-site water-recycling systems allow conveyor and in-bay car washes to reclaim water used to wash cars, filter it, and reuse it in the early stages of later washes, when the quality of the water is less important. “Rather than spraying gallons of valuable drinking water on a mud-crusted jeep, it makes better sense to use water that has already cycled through a carwash but has been stripped of detergents and dirt,” said Gatto. It can even help car washes save money on their monthly water bills.
“This Governor has been progressive on water issues, and I am grateful that he has joined me in this effort to reduce water use in the car-wash industry,” said Gatto, thanking Governor Brown for signing the bill. “I hope to continue to work with him to find creative ways to reduce water waste in this state.”
Mike Gatto represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Atwater Village. He is the Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
