Any substrate from concrete parking lots to multi-story building exteriors may require the dirty wash water to be recaptured and disposed of in accordance with the “Clean Water Act of 1972”.

Concrete and many other porous surfaces hold and trap oils, heavy metals, automotive fluids, cleaning agents and other non-eco friendly particles. When these surfaces are cleaned, the contaminants that settle on the surface are suspended in the wash water. If this contaminated water reaches storm drains it will likely find its way into local rivers, lakes, and streams. Reclaiming the wash water allows us to direct the pollutants to exactly where they need to go for proper disposal. 

Authorities, federal and state, have increased enforcement in the Southeastern United States area over the last few years. More and more citations and fines are being issued for noncompliance when it comes to wash water discharge. These fines not only affect the pressure washing contractor but can also be applied to building owners as well.

Our industrial gas engine powered vacuum systems are powerful enough reclaim massive amounts of dirty water and simultaneously filter out the oil, heavy solids, silt and sludge. The filtered water is then discharged into holding tanks to be hauled off-site or discharged into the facilities sanitary sewer system after the PH levels have been appropriately adjusted. To learn more about how our vacuum reclaim pressure washing systems operate.

Use of a vacuum recovery surface cleaner. This machine is similar to a standard surface cleaner attachment but has built-in vacuum capabilities. The high-pressure water is forced through the cleaning nozzles to clean the surface and is immediately vacuumed up and pumped through the filtration system.

Vacuum suction berms. These terms range from 3′ long to 12′ long and have small holes which allow water to be pulled through them and introduced to the filtration system. These small holes also act as an initial filtration device to prohibit items like rocks, cigarette butts, and leaves from entering the vacuum system. These suction berms are typically placed at the lowest elevation of the area being cleaned so that all of the runoff water will eventually end up in the filtration system.