Monthly Reminders

February 2012

Self-Service Daily Check List
* Water Heater
* Bay Hoses for breaks or scuffs
* Water Softness
* Changer & Coin boxes for jams
* All Wash Selections for proper operation
* Chemical tanks (fill if needed)

Conveyor Daily Check List
* Check all functions of the conveyor operations
* Listen for & correct the cause of any unusual noises
* Wash down conveyor at the end of each day
* Open manual air dump valves at the roller-up air cylinder each evening before closing

Do you have a reminder you would like us to post? Send it to us!

Tip: Have you started your saftey binder?.... check out the blog CarWash Safety 101 for more details

News | NYSCWA Legislative Update

NYSCWA Legislative Update - Fall 2010

Partnership with NY DEP Makes Good Sense

By William Y. Crowell, III

Following through on the New York State Car Wash Association’s recent meeting with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), there is an opportunity to form a partnership with DEC on charity and not-for-profit organization carwashes. There is a template for a program in New Jersey.

The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) have created a partnership program with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) which would serve as a model for a similar program in New York state. Carwash operators and environmental advocates agree that there are negative consequences from the conduct of charity carwash events on water resources. Charity carwashes are generally conducted on paved surfaces like a parking lot. This situation results in the soap, detergent, automotive fluids, oil, nutrients, metals and roadway dirt getting rinsed into storm drains, which often lead directly to lakes, streams and bodies of water. While charity carwashes perform a positive community service, they often have a negative impact on precious water resources. Although singularly such events are not significant, such is not the case when the cumulative effects of all such events are measured.

Many carwash association members already have their own programs that enable charity and not-for-profit organizations to obtain discounted carwash tickets. The charity is able to sell the tickets while retaining a profit. The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey have established a carwash fundraiser program in conjunction with the NJDEP. Under this New Jersey program, the charity retains 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale of the carwash tickets sold at face value. The NJDEP website, under the general heading of Clean Water NJ, has a specific page which details the environmental advantages of a carwash fundraiser using a participating carwash. The website provides a list of carwashes that participate and would be able to discuss the fundraising needs of an organization. NJDEP also provides a poster that depicts a carwash taking place on body of water with the soap discharging into the water. The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey website has a link to a brochure “leave your buckets and sponges at home...support your cause the green way.” The brochure describes the positive benefits of a charity wash program.

This type of partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation would provide a unique opportunity to work with the government to disseminate the positive environmental benefits of a professional carwash. This program provides a platform to economically reach your fellow citizens. If adopted, this program would be a win for all concerned. The most important element is a healthy participation by carwash operators.

To take a first-hand look at the program, check out the NJDEP and the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey websites at:

http://www.cleanwaternj.org/
http://www.cleanwaternj.org/fundraiser.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dwq/pdf/tipcard_CarWash_gray.pdf
http://www.cwonj.com

William Y. Crowell is a partner with the Albany-based law firm of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP. He can be reached at 518/487-7677.

Top Stories

Monthly Reminders

February 2012

NYSCWA Legislative Update - Fall 2010

Partnership with NY DEP Makes Good Sense

By William Y. Crowell, III