Best Reclaim Systems - Purchasing for New Business

M

mattfelner

New member
Hi all, first post here. My partner and I just started up a new pressure washing company. We'll be a "mobile" platform and purchased a box truck with a new Landa PGHW washer. We have both done some pressure washing in our own respective businesses (commercial building maintenance) but it makes sense to ramp up and make the investment. We plan to market ourselves to larger corporate commercial accounts and operate within environmental parameters - from all ends, a water reclaim system is a must have.

We've been doing research on the various models of reclaim systems but wanted to get some firsthand testimonials and hear from those that know these things best. We've narrowed it down to three manufacturers - Sirocco, Hydrotek GRV40, and the Hot n Mighty. We don't mind spending a premium for a reliable, high quality system but at the same time we do not want to spend unnecessary money's on something too intense for our purposes. Our truck will be outfitted with two 500 gallon tanks - one with supply water and one as a holding tank for the reclaimed water. We plan to discharge of the reclaimed water off site and don't plan to re-use the water as supply although that would be an added benefit - reason being, we've heard that the reclaimed water can never be filtered to a "clean" enough level and can damage the pressure washer...any credence to that? We will be running up to two pressure washers per job (both under 5 GPM) and will mainly be doing cement flat work as well as building facades.

How is everyone's experience with the Sirocco, Hydrotek GRV40, and Hot n Mighty systems? Any feedback at all would be appreciated - we're really concerned with reliability, quality, strength, and price point. Also, any tips for configuring these in the box truck? If we're not re-using the reclaimed water how do these systems differ from just buying a normal everyday water pump?

Thanks in advance for any and all help. Much appreciated.

Matt
 
If the reclaimed water wears the pump out a little faster, that may be completely acceptable.
 
Juan Juarez said:
I would definitely recommend sirocco. Great equipment and impeccable service. You don't come across that kind of customer service too often.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself Juan.
 
If you are doing large commercial accounts 500 gallons of supply water is no where near enough...you'll end up needing a water source on site and wish you only had a 100 gallon buffer. Similarly, unless you discharge water on site or re-use it, a 500 gallon waste tank will not be enough. So, if you are really trying to be a mobile unit that is capable of using your own water, you will need closed loop. You should be able to easily remove the solids so your pump isn't effected, but if it is its just a cost of business. My recommendation is to avoid the closed loop system, you can still be extremely environmentally friendly by pre-filtering sediment and oils and discharging on site. Hot and Mighty prices are High and Mighty. Jerry with Sirocco can outfit you very effectively.
 
JBurd said:
If you are doing large commercial accounts 500 gallons of supply water is no where near enough...you'll end up needing a water source on site and wish you only had a 100 gallon buffer. Similarly, unless you discharge water on site or re-use it, a 500 gallon waste tank will not be enough. So, if you are really trying to be a mobile unit that is capable of using your own water, you will need closed loop. You should be able to easily remove the solids so your pump isn't effected, but if it is its just a cost of business. My recommendation is to avoid the closed loop system, you can still be extremely environmentally friendly by pre-filtering sediment and oils and discharging on site. Hot and Mighty prices are High and Mighty. Jerry with Sirocco can outfit you very effectively.
Click to expand...

Thank you all for the insight. I have heard great things about Siroc. systems. JBurd, are you saying that by pre-filtering the sediment and the oils we are able to dump down any regular catch basin? That would of course be ideal - takes away the transport and storage cost. Does these various recapture systems filter down to the point that it's "acceptable" to dump down storm drains? We do not want to take chances but good to know if this is a commonly accepted practice. Is that what you meant by discharging on site?
 
  • mattfelner said:
    Thank you all for the insight. I have heard great things about Siroc. systems. JBurd, are you saying that by pre-filtering the sediment and the oils we are able to dump down any regular catch basin? That would of course be ideal - takes away the transport and storage cost. Does these various recapture systems filter down to the point that it's "acceptable" to dump down storm drains? We do not want to take chances but good to know if this is a commonly accepted practice. Is that what you meant by discharging on site?
    Click to expand...

It all depends on your local enforcement, but no I did not mean dumping down storm drains. Our practice is to filter out oils using oil socks/booms (SUPER cheap) and sediment using simple mesh filters on the ground or inside our vac, then we pump into landscaping. Naturally soils and plants are excellent filters. Most storm drains lead directly to natural waterways, and can harm the fish, so avoid those. Even pouring bottled water down a storm drain can get you in trouble the way some enforcement agencies read the law, but others allow exceptions if you aren't using chems and aren't cleaning something vehicles drive on. Thanks to the hard work of people I won't mention, some authorities are even under the impression that hot water is a pollutant! Generally, pumping into sanitary sewer is a fair alternative to landscaping as the local waste water authority will further filter it. In one of my markets, the authority requires we recapture waste water, haul it down the road to their facility (the exact same place the sanitary sewer pipes lead to), and then pay them for disposal. This limits the services we offer in these areas. The exact function of catch basins may vary from location to location, I'm not well versed on how to identify which ones can be used and which cannot, hopefully someone else will chime in on the matter.
 
I would not transport hazardous waste unless you are a CDl with hazmat endorsement with the D.O.T. approved licensed tank/vehicle for the washwater with contaminants (hazardous materials) in it. Opening up a huge can of worms there if you are not properly licensed, insured and have the right kind of vehicle. There are threads about this here on PWI, I would read a lot of them before even thinking about hauling hazardous waste, no matter how good the customer or how good it pays, nothing like huge D.O.T. fines, possible jail time and worse. If you have a CDL (Commercial Driver License) you will understand, if you don't I would go talk to a tanker truck driver about the HUGE risks involved.
 
Sirocco makes a of nice systems that can be fit to your needs. Before you just jump and by give us a call we can help you figure out which system is best to fit your needs. For example you may be able to discharge on site with minimal or no treatment and avoid having to haul the water around. For general flatwork water can be filtered adequately for reuse, or if you are planning on using detergents you would want to avid reuse all together because the detergents aren't filtered out easily and that may damage your system or the surface with the Ph levels.

Are you planning instant recovery or just picking it up off the surface as runoff? Will you be doing continuous duty or intermittent cycles. How long is the intended use...Going over the right uses can save you thousands both short term and long run, not all applications are the same. Let us know if we can help out at all.
 
You all nailed it.
Don't haul it away
Don't recycle if you can avoid it.
Oil sock and sediment filter to the landscape is the way to go.
 
I would also like one that can recycle the water and keep going. Need it for shopping centers and gas stations. We can not discharge at gas stations.
 
Rsuds said:
I would also like one that can recycle the water and keep going. Need it for shopping centers and gas stations. We can not discharge at gas stations.
Click to expand...

I also have a two 500 gallon tank system. I use a hydrotek AZV55 reclaim and I put a t-valve on the holding tank. This way I can dictate which tank the water is going to. If im cleaning an area that is nasty and I don't want to recycle it I can dump it into the holding tank. Otherwise I just dump the reclaimed water back into my water tank. So far it's worked great for me.
 
Hi everyone I live in Australia and have been trying to find a water reclaim system here in Aus iv researched high and low and there doesn't seem to be any available. Is anyone aware of any or could point me in the right direction? Tia.


Wade Cull

Poseidon Pressure Cleaning Services

0405-180-109

cully.w.j@hotmail.com
 
Sirocco PEV systems start at about $1350. and go up,
and when set up for water to get sucked up.. it gets done.
The Auto-Pump-Out.. can do 20 gpm against the vac.
..and the filtration built into that tank, is good enough to discharge onto landscaping,
..in most applications.
Filtration for Re-Use is as cost-efficient as it can be. (starting at $699.)

We are 2nd to none, for over 25 years.
..And engineered to stay that way.
 
Sirocco Jerry said:
Sirocco PEV systems start at about $1350. and go up,
and when set up for water to get sucked up.. it gets done.
The Auto-Pump-Out.. can do 20 gpm against the vac.
..and the filtration built into that tank, is good enough to discharge onto landscaping,
..in most applications.
Filtration for Re-Use is as cost-efficient as it can be. (starting at $699.)

We are 2nd to none, for over 25 years.
..And engineered to stay that way.
Click to expand...

Can you post some pics and specs of your entry level "filtration for re-use" system? I did not realize it was that affordable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top