Onsite treatment and reuse of water from wash bays and wash down facilities is a sustainable way of reducing liquid waste disposal and minimising the release of contaminants into the environment. Additional benefits include reduced water consumption and trade waste costs.
Wash Bays or Wash Down Facilities (include, but are not limited to):
- Earthmoving, heavy vehicle, harvesting and other washing down equipment facilities
- Mining, oil & gas, construction, transportation and shipping applications
- Commercial car/truck facilities
- Car washes
Depending on local license requirements wash bay wastewater can either be discharged to sewer/environment with basic treatment, transported offsite for disposal, or be recycled in the wash bay (or other reuse) following additional treatment.
Water Wise Wash Bay Systems?
Whether a wash bay water recycling system is a viable option will be determined by:
- Cost of the water supply to the wash bay. Where this is potable or drinking water the cost benefits will be larger.
- Access to sewer discharge and trade waste costs.
- Local environmental license conditions for discharge to environment and compliance costs.
- Cost of offsite transportation and disposal of wastewater.
- The type of contaminants in the wastewater.
- Cost of treatment plant and ongoing maintenance.
MAK Water Ensures Safe Water Recycling
Depending on the type of equipment being cleaned, wash down water may contain:
- Chemical contaminants such as: caustic cleaners, soaps, oil, fuel, detergents, battery acids, metals, hydrocarbons, mud, rubber, grease, tars, grit, disinfectants, solvents
- Pathogens (disease causing organisms)
These chemicals and pathogens can pose a serious risk to the wash bay operators and the environment if not managed in a safe manner. All companies have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for their employees and ensure best management practices are implemented.
The Department of Health (WA) and WorkSafe have prepared a fact sheet for wash bay water recycling which applies to all wash down facilities in Western Australia. For individual state requirements visit Recycled Water in Australia.
Why MAK Water knows the guidelines and what we can do for you
MAK Water has over 25 years’ experience in the design, manufacture and maintenance of wash bay recycling systems and can supply a system exactly tailored to your needs.
In 2012 MAK Water purchased Clearmake™ and benefits from the inherited product range and many years of wash bay experience.
MAK Water understands the referenced guidelines and can provide a treatment system for either discharge to sewer/environment, or a fully compliant wash bay recycling system.
MAK Water manufactures a wide range of standard equipment typically used for wash bay applications, including:
| Product | Commonly used Application |
| Oil Water Separator (OWS) | Removal of oil and grease from mechanical workshops and heavy equipment wash bays |
| Gravity Clarification (GC) | Used in wash bays for removal of suspended solids and heavy metals, where low levels of free floating hydrocarbons are present |
| Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) | Used in wash bays for removal of suspended solids and heavy metals, where emulsified hydrocarbons are present |
| Multimedia Filtration (MMF) | Used after one of the above options to further improve water quality, most often when recycling or re-use is included |
MAK Water works collaboratively with each client to review water quality data and can offer in-house bench testing of samples and additional laboratory testing where required to confirm the treatment process.
For Smart Water Solutions, contact MAK Water on 1300 669 032 to discuss the most appropriate water treatment solution for your wash bay project.
Kyle Matthews, MAK Water Technical Sales Manager
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