Water recycling plan for car wash facilities underway in Bahrain

Car washing facilities could be forced to recycle water under a new move approved unanimously by the Southern Municipal Council.

The proposal, spearheaded by the council’s legislative, administrative and financial affairs committee chairman Hizam Al Dossary, would oblige all facilities to install water filter systems that allow multiple usages.

“Large quantities of water are being wasted through pressure-oriented hoses when cleaning cars,” said Mr Al Dossary.

“Bahrain is a country with limited natural resources and conservation should be a priority, but in the case of the current car washing methods, it is not.

“Hi-tech water recycling equipment is available for car wash facilities and varies in price, depending on specific use. These filters, in the long-run, would save gallons of water and prove cost-effective to car wash providers.

“Neighbouring countries have made significant progress in reusing car wash water by setting up rules and regulations to enforce water recycling within those facilities and, here in Bahrain, we are aiming for the same. A grace period could be given to test and implement the move.”

Mr Al Dossary said that currently car wash facilities were dispensing water into sewers or letting it evaporate unnecessarily rather than reusing it.

“Car wash water recycling requires capturing, treating and redirecting and each facility needs to identify the way of handling its wash water depending on the locality and a combination of solutions installed in the system.”

He added that the facilities would also have to consider the volume of water used each day and the chemicals and procedures needed in the wash and rinse processes.

It may be necessary to install separate water treatment operations in car wash centres which in turn will reduce the burden of treatment on national water treatment plants, Mr Al Dossary added.

Not all recycling systems are the same, but, in general, a system draws water from large settling tanks in the car wash, processes the water to remove contaminants and chemicals, treats the water for bad odours, and sends the processed water back to the wash system for reuse.

The proposal has now been referred to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf for review alongside other ministries and government bodies concerned.

The council must be notified about a veto within two weeks or else the decision gets immediately implemented.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

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