CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE WASH VENDORS

City Ordinance 26-41(d) specifically prohibits the discharge of vehicle wash water to the ground and/or the storm sewer system. City Code 26-41(d) states: bus and truck lines, who operate more than two vehicles and who perform vehicle wash operations, shall provide such effluent to be trapped and placed in the sanitary sewer in accordance with city plumbing code. The plumbing code further requires discharge from vehicle wash operations be routed to a sand/grit trap. Our department has had increasing numbers of requests to allow the use of mobile truck wash vendors at facilities that lack an approved wash station. The following policies have been established as a guide for their operation within the City of Grand Prairie.

1. The only approved method requires a portable catch basin (or overlapping basins) and an active recovery system which operates continually during the vehicle wash process. Washing on concrete and use of a simple storm sewer inlet boom system is not an approved control method, but may be used in conjunction with the mat system. The mat/recovery unit must capture at least 95% of the runoff (5% allowed to overspray) and not allow any discharge of wastewater to the storm sewer system.
2. All generated wastewater must be discharged to the sanitary sewer through an approved sand/grit trap.
3. Mobile vehicle wash vendors may wash cars and trucks with plain tap water and allow this water to discharge to the storm sewer system at sales facilities only. Power wash companies who provide cleaning services for parking lots may also discharge plain water the storm sewer system. Vehicle wash operations conducted at rental or leasing facilities must comply with all other sections of this code.
4. Mobile truck wash vendors who use a water recycling unit will not be required to discharge their wastewater to the sanitary sewer through an approved sand/grit trap. However, the following is required.
   
   1. All wastewater must be filtered at least one cycle before discharge to the sanitary sewer system.
   
   2. All sludge generated by your filtering system must be manifested and hauled away or disposed of by a licensed liquid waste hauler/disposal company.
   
   3. Companies utilizing a recycling system must provide analytical data to the City of Grand Prairie, Environmental Services Department (oil and grease, metals and volitile organic compounds--EPA 624) for intake and discharge water from the unit.
   
   
5. Discharge to the sanitary sewer through a sand/grit trap must be done at an approved discharge facility. Discharge to a commercial car wash may be allowed only if an agreement allowing disposal exists between the mobile wash operator and the commercial car wash operator. A copy of the agreement must be carried in the mobile wash vehicle and must be exhibited upon demand by regulatory personnel.

Any company and/or mobile vehicle wash vendor who operates in violation of this stated policy will be issued citations for any observed violations. Should you have questions regarding this policy, please call this office at 972/237-8055.

Environmental Power Washing Reports and Ordinances Index

Delco Cleaning Systems of Fort Worth
2513 Warfield Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76106-7554
Phone: 800-433-2113; Fax: 817-625-2059
URL: http://www.dcs1.com/del ; email: delco@dcs1.com