washwaterfaqs

Frequently Asked Questions About Wash Water Recycling Systems

1. Why should I buy a RGF WashMaster when I do not have any EPA discharge problems?	You are in violation of EPA regulations if you do not have a discharge permit and are discharging vehicle wash water to the ground, septic tank or storm sewer. Eventually the EPA will notice you, or someone will report you to them in order to collect the reward money that they offer in their "Whistle Blower" program, and they you will have ten problems. You must stop cleaning your equipment. You may have to pay a fine up to $25,000 per day for minor violations. You are listed as a violator on the EPA computer, which is monitored by Environmental Activist Groups. Your company looks bad in the eyes of your employees and the community. From then on, your company will be closely inspected by the EPA, which could result in an expensive mandatory clean-up. Your company could be the subject of adverse media attention. You could be contaminating your property, which could negatively affect value or future sale. Your company could face a civil suit filed by citizens or activists. 1990 legislation has changed criminal violations from misdemeanors to felonies. Like the saying goes, "pay me now or pay me later."
2. What other reasons besides EPA compliance are there to buy a RGF WashMaster?	There are many reasons, such as: Recycling conserves fresh water, a precious resource of our planet that is being rapidly deleted. You will be helping to maintain a safe and clean environment. Your company will be recognized for its effort to protect the environment. RGF provides all WashMaster owners with an attractive display plaque that helps to inform your clients and employees of your environmental efforts. Many of RGF's customers have also received recognition in newspaper articles commending them for their environmental concerns. Even if you pollute your land without the EPA noticing, you still have a major problem. You may not be able to sell it. This is because before any commercial property is sold, an environmental audit and testing is performed. If your land is found to be contaminated, the EPA will force you to perform a full clean-up, which in most cases will exceed the value of the land.
3. Why will the run-off from a simple truck or heavy vehicle cleaning operation pollute my property and ground water?	Oil, grease, fuels, and paint contain hazardous materials such as benzene, lead, chromium, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, nitrates, etc. Over months of cleaning these hazardous materials build up to a dangerous and illegal volume. In addition, it is illegal to discharge oils, detergents, degreasers, pesticides, etc. to the ground. Eventually these contaminants permeate through this soil and pollute our ground and drinking waters.
4. We spray herbicides, insecticides, pesticides (HIP), and the EPA is concerned about our equipment cleaning operation. What can you do for us?	RGF WashMaster 18 is designed for small agricultural or golf course cleaning operations. Our WashMaster 36 is designed for large agricultural applications. HIP's are a major concern. A recent EPA study found 16 HIP's in 23 states appearing in well water, not a pleasant thought. RGF uses the Best Available Technology (BAT) recommended by the EPA for HIP removal, and we back it up with our triple redundancy (3 BATS in each system).
5. We're a heavy equipment dealer and much of our equipment is covered with muck and clay. We've been told that we need two cleaning bays - one for demucking with a high volume hose, and another for pressure cleaning. Is this true?	No, RGF has designed a method of performing both tasks on one wash pad. Our demucking system can provide oil free water for demucking up to 100 GPM, and one of our standard recycling units can provide recycled water to your pressure cleaner on the same wash pad.
6. What if I put the RGF WashMaster system in and the EPA changes the rules or laws?	The WashMaster is a closed-loop recycling system and does not discharge except under accidental conditions only, i.e., because of heavy rain, or because the tap water was left running, etc. However, before you purchase a RGF WashMaster, check with your local authorities. We did in Florida, California, Texas, North Carolina and Washington, where the EPA is extremely strict. They stated in writing that they encourage the use of the RGF WashMaster.
7. How does the customer determine what his individual waste treatment needs are?	Since RGF specializes in wastewater management, we are experienced in making the process fast and simple for the customer. We maintain a fully equipped testing laboratory to determine what contaminants are present in the customer's water. These tests are provided free of charge. Once the pollutants and a few other key facts have been identified. RGF can help the customer choose the proper WashMaster model for his needs. RGF will also work with the customer after the unit has been installed in order to handle any changes in his waste treatment needs. We pride ourselves on gaining and maintaining the satisfaction and respect of our customers. RGF has been awarded the INC. Magazine Customer Service Award. RGF also offers free analysis of your water for as long as you own our systems to ensure treatment and safety is as effective as possible.
8. How effective is the RGF WashMaster System?	Depending on your needs, we can provide recycled wash water crystal clean rinse water, or water suitable for sewer discharge. We take pride in being a total service company and have the resources to provide the level of treatment that you need today and in the future.
9. How does RGF assure all the contaminants are removed from the waste stream?	We utilize only technologies rated by the EPA as Best Available Technology or (BAT). Then we borrowed a philosophy from the Aerospace and Nuclear Industries redundant systems, each system has a backup. Then we did them one better. We have a minimum of triple redundancy. For each contaminant, we use at least three BAT's to remove it! For example: if the waste stream contains benzene, we would use aeration, ozone, hydrocarbon absorption foam, catalytic oxidation, carbon, and activated carbon, as many as five redundant technologies.
10. Who has RGF sold WashMaster to, and how many are currently in service?	RGF has sold over 12,000 systems all over the world. Our clients include numerous fortune 500 companies, major trucking firms, national waste haulers, heavy equipment companies, oil companies, state and local government utilities, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Nuclear Plants, and NASA to mention only a few. Many of these companies have conducted lab and field tests, in some cases using and independent agency to evaluate the system. We are proud to say we have never failed an evaluation.
11. How often is make-up water added?	You lose approximately 20% to 30% of your water through evaporation when you pressure clean, and more when you steam clean. When the storage tank water level falls below 1/3 full, make-up tap water is automatically added. Secondly, we set the operating level at 40% full to allow our users to use city water as final rinse water to give our clients built in "wash water management".
12. What types of permits will I need in order to install the WashMaster System?	For a recycling system, none should be necessary other than the standard construction permits. However, this should be confirmed with local authorities.
13. Will installing the WashMaster require any special construction, plumbing or wiring?	The WashMaster Systems are designed for simple installation and use. The system does not require any special construction other than a wash pad and a level place to install the unit. If there is not already a wash pad in place. RGF's CAD System can provide typical complete engineered design drawings at no charge. The electrical, water, and air needs of the unit can almost always be met by the pre-existing utilities of the customer.
14. Why not collect and store the wastewater for shipment to a water treatment plant?	There are five reasons why this is a poor choice: Construction of a tank large enough to contain your run-off and the required secondary containment is expensive; a 10,000 gallon tank will cost approximately $10,000. Such a system would probably require you to obtain permits, which can be a difficult process. Regular inspection of the tank and monitoring wells will be necessary. In addition, the tank will have to be a double containment vessel. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find waste treatment plants that will accept water contaminated with oil and grease. There will be a continual shipping expense of as much as $2 per gallon and rapidly rising.
15. What if discharge is desired?	The WashMaster System is very versatile and, with only minor modification, will allow direct discharge. RGF also makes systems specifically for sewer discharge. However, a permit would be required for direct discharge.
16. I am on municipal sewer and I've been told all I need is an oil/water separator and I can discharge - isn't that true?	Oil water separators can separate free oils from water. They do not work on soluble petroleum, hydrocarbons, emulsified oils, heavy metals, or most other hazardous materials. Therefore, discharge of soapy wash water through an oil water separator will do little, if anything. We have developed our SD (sewer discharge) unit to help with this problem. It has the ability to filter solids, remove heavy metal, and many other hazardous materials. The SD System has 12 proven technologies to treat your waste stream. In addition, oil water separators are typically in the ground and therefore subject to underground tank rules. The SD System offers molded color impregnated UV protected polyethylene tanks and are installed above ground.
17. What if I am currently under a "stop work" order, will RGF work with me and the EPA to get me in operation again?	Yes, RGF's staff of environmental experts are available to assist you in solving your wastewater problems. Our experts are active in many professional societies. We have been published in many technical journals and environmental engineering textbooks, and speak at over 12 conventions or seminars per year. You could say we wrote the book! Since 1989, RGF has been the recognized leader in wash water recycling.
18. What expertise do RGF employees bring to the table?	RGF key employees average 21 years of experience each, and cover the following areas: Water treatment plants, industrial as well as municipal reverse osmosis plants Wastewater treatment plants, major industrial as well as municipal and large, state-of-the-art municipal recycling treatment plants Environmental engineering - field, lab analysis and system development Nuclear rad-waste treatment facilities Chemical development of detergents, germicides, algaecides, floccing agents, and disinfectants Development of reverse osmosis and ozone systems for government and industry Nuclear fabrication and quality control Mechanical, civil, manufacturing and construction engineering International water treatment and environmental training Oil field, marine, petrochemical, steel, mining, and utilities field experience
19. Does RGF have any test or lab data to demonstrate the efficiency?	Yes. Typical test data on our middle-line system has incoming water at 10,970 ppm, FOG (fats, oil & grease) and filter water at 1 ppm FOG. Other test data by RGF, clients and independent test or consultant firms have shown results of incoming industrial laundry water at 220 ppm FOG and filter at .9 ppm FOG. Data on our SD unit has incoming lead at 9 ppm and filter at less than 0.7 ppm. BOD reduced by 82%. These are outstanding results. However, we caution in using test typical or data by others as each waste stream is unique and must be tested on an individual basis.
20. How long has RGF been in business?	RGF was incorporated in July 1985 for the purpose of designing, developing, and manufacturing water recycling systems. Its principles have been in the wastewater, environmental, chemical, engineering, and fabrication businesses an average of 21 years.
21. What about competitors?	There are a number of competitors, and we like to stress the following: RGF was the originator of closed-loop, skid-mounted recycling systems Water recycling is our business, not a sideline We have numerous models and technologies to choose from, not just one system that supposedly does it all We are a total service business. We work with you from waste stream, water analysis, proper system selection, permitting, proper cleaning agents, start-up, maintenance programs, new technologies, upgrades and system monitoring We have an "800" number and a staff of professionals to answer all your environmental questions We have a proven track record with references to back it up We have a Five-Year Total Service Warranty Program
22. We understand that some recycling systems have smelly water. How does RGF handle this problem?	Smelly water is caused by algae and bacteria and can be controlled with the use of chlorine (as you would your swimming pool) and hydrogen peroxide, or with ozone. The trouble with ozone is it has no residual killing power. In other words, it only works when it is on the water, and on the water it contacts This is why ozone alone is not sufficient. Ozone can be used to cut down your use of a residual disinfectant. Ozone used with an oxidizer that has residual killing power works the best. That is why RGF uses ozone, UV light and our Oxy Puck residual disinfectant.
23. What is the life expectancy of the RGF WashMaster?	Indefinitely. Basically, the pumps will wear out in time. They can be easily replaced. The rest of the system, in polyethylene and PVC, the WashMaster is built to last.
24. We have heard the EPA is trying to phase out the use of chlorine. Is this true?	Chlorine is a very effective disinfectant, which is used in swimming pools and municipal water treatment plants. There is some recent concern about chloramines developing from the use of chlorine. Therefore, RGF R&D has developed a water additive (Oxy Pucks) that acts as the following: A Bactericide An Algaecide Non-Corrosive Non-Toxic Biodegradable A Demulsifier
25. To sum it up, why should I buy a WashMaster System?	* If you are pressure cleaning and discharging to ground, you will have to buy an environmental system. * RGF is the leader of the industry with numerous patents, continuous research and development, and a continuous upgrading program. You will own the best. * We have a national network of over 200 trained distributors to service your unit. We have a proven track record with over 12,000 systems installed. * We have been approved and endorsed by Federal and State Agencies, international companies and many fortune 500 companies. * We are a group of professionals with common sense solutions to environmental problems. * We don't just sell a product, we provide you with the total time proven program. * We are a total service company from planning to operation. We stand behind our product, in many cases beyond warranty. This is not just a promise, we have a history of service and references to back it up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wash Water Recycling Systems

3. Why will the run-off from a simple truck or heavy vehicle cleaning operation pollute my property and ground water?

4. We spray herbicides, insecticides, pesticides (HIP), and the EPA is concerned about our equipment cleaning operation. What can you do for us?

5. We're a heavy equipment dealer and much of our equipment is covered with muck and clay. We've been told that we need two cleaning bays - one for demucking with a high volume hose, and another for pressure cleaning. Is this true?

No, RGF has designed a method of performing both tasks on one wash pad. Our demucking system can provide oil free water for demucking up to 100 GPM, and one of our standard recycling units can provide recycled water to your pressure cleaner on the same wash pad.

7. How does the customer determine what his individual waste treatment needs are?

8. How effective is the RGF WashMaster System?

Depending on your needs, we can provide recycled wash water crystal clean rinse water, or water suitable for sewer discharge. We take pride in being a total service company and have the resources to provide the level of treatment that you need today and in the future.

9. How does RGF assure all the contaminants are removed from the waste stream?

10. Who has RGF sold WashMaster to, and how many are currently in service?

11. How often is make-up water added?

13. Will installing the WashMaster require any special construction, plumbing or wiring?

15. What if discharge is desired?

The WashMaster System is very versatile and, with only minor modification, will allow direct discharge. RGF also makes systems specifically for sewer discharge. However, a permit would be required for direct discharge.

16. I am on municipal sewer and I've been told all I need is an oil/water separator and I can discharge - isn't that true?

20. How long has RGF been in business?

RGF was incorporated in July 1985 for the purpose of designing, developing, and manufacturing water recycling systems. Its principles have been in the wastewater, environmental, chemical, engineering, and fabrication businesses an average of 21 years.

25. To sum it up, why should I buy a WashMaster System?