Exploring the ROI of Reclaim Use in Car Washes
With rising utility costs and tightening environmental regulations, reclaim water treatment systems have become a necessity for car wash operations. While the environmental benefits are clear, many operators still underestimate the financial upside.
So how much money can a reclaim system really save your business?
In this guide, we’ll break down:
How reclaim systems reduce water usage
Annual water cost savings by wash volume
Additional operational savings (labor, maintenance)
How to choose a reclaim system that maximizes your ROI
How Reclaim Systems Reduce Water Usage
Reclaim systems collect, filter, and reuse a portion of the water used in each wash cycle. Instead of sending all used water down the drain, a reclaim unit captures it, removes particles, and recirculates it for reuse in various parts of the wash.
Reclaim water is commonly reused for:
- Undercarriage wash
- High-pressure arches (under window line)
- Belt flush
- Wheel cleaning
By offsetting the need for fresh municipal water in these stages, reclaim systems can significantly reduce total water consumption across each wash cycle.
Reclaim System Water Savings at a Glance
In this real-world example, a wash originally used 50 gallons of fresh water per vehicle. By switching their initial high-pressure pass to reclaimed water, they reduced fresh water use to 25 gallons per vehicle — a savings of 25 gallons per car.
Note: Actual savings vary depending on which parts of the wash cycle use reclaim water. This example replaced the first high-pressure pass with reclaim.
What Is Backflushing and Why Does It Matter?
In any reclaim system, water passes through filtration media to remove dirt, debris, and particles before being reused. Over time, those filters can become clogged, reducing water quality and system performance.
Backflushing is the process of reversing water flow through the filtration system to flush out accumulated solids. This helps:
- Maintain consistent flow rates
- Prevent clogging or system strain
- Extend the life of the media in the filter
While this process uses a small amount of water daily, it is critical to keeping the system running efficiently, and the impact on overall water savings is minimal when properly designed.
Real-World Annual Water & Cost Savings
To show the real savings potential of a reclaim system, we’ve modeled two tunnel wash setups based on usage patterns and water cost ranges observed at Hoffman Car Wash locations.
These examples also represent the two Hoffman innovateIT Reclaim Water Treatment System configurations available:
- Standard Flow (25 GPM) – designed to meet the needs of most car washes
- High Flow (50 GPM) – built for higher-volume sites that require greater reclaim capacity
What These Examples Demonstrate:
- Two reclaim strategies:
- Side-Only High Pressure: Fresh water used for top rinse — ~15 gallons saved per car
Full High-Pressure Reclaim: Reclaim used for both sides and top — ~25 gallons saved per car
- Two water/sewer rate ranges:
- $0.008/gallon (low) and $0.014/gallon (high)
Even with daily backflushing accounted for, the net water and cost savings are significant. A reclaim system isn’t just good for sustainability — it’s a smart, cost-saving investment.
Real-World Annual Water & Cost Savings
Many reclaim systems promise water savings — but the real-world results depend heavily on system design, maintenance requirements, and water quality output.
The Hoffman innovateIT Reclaim Water Treatment System was engineered by car wash operators to address the biggest barriers to consistent reclaim performance:
Key Features That Drive Savings and Simplicity:
🎯 Direct Media Filtration
Captures 99%+ of particles over 10 microns — including neutrally buoyant debris that cyclonic systems miss. This ensures reclaim water is clean enough for use in high-pressure applications without clogging nozzles.
🔄 Automated Backflushing
The system automatically flushes the filter based on operator-selected settings — no manual intervention required. This keeps the system performing efficiently with minimal oversight.
⚙️ Submersible Grundfos Grinder Pump
Handles common debris like cloth and plastic without needing a filter basket, eliminating daily maintenance and priming of the pump.
📏 Compact, Modular Design
Modular design and flexible configuration make installation easier, especially in tight backrooms or retrofit scenarios.
🧪 Operator-Friendly Odor Control
Uses adjustable chemical dosing and a Micro bubbler to maintain water quality and odor without ozone or UV systems.
These features work together to reduce labor, downtime, and system oversight — all while maximizing water savings.
Additional Resources
- Looking for more details on how reclaim integrates into a wash site or how the system operates in real-world conditions?
Here are two helpful resources:
Reclaim System Integration Overview
A one-page layout showing how the reclaim system connects to sediment tanks and reclaim lines — ideal for new builds or retrofits.
👉 Download the Integration Overview
Education Session Replay – Solving Reclaim Headaches: How to Eliminate Odor, Clogs, and Daily Maintenance
A 30-minute walkthrough of the reclaim system’s design, savings potential, and how it simplifies daily operation.
Ready to Capture These Savings?
Reclaim systems are an essential tool for profitable, sustainable car wash operations. With the right system in place, you can:
- Reduce your dependence on fresh water
- Lower your operating costs
- Simplify daily maintenance
- Deliver a consistent wash experience, even at high volumes
The Hoffman innovateIT Reclaim Water Treatment System is built to do exactly that.
Want to explore whether reclaim is right for your site?
Contact our team to get a custom ROI estimate based on your current water usage and site volume. 👇👇
Get In Touch
call us
(518) 741-4200
Email Us
sales@innovateitcarwash.com
