Businesses: October 2007 Archives

A new sign at Rick's Car Wash in Sylva proclaims, "We recycle our water!"

Although the sign went up only recently, owner Rick Bryson explained that his car wash has used recycled water for 11 years. "Water's something we've all got to have, but we shouldn't waste it if we don't have to," he added. "It saves on water and it saves on the bill, and it just seemed like the right thing to do."

Bryson put up the sign because he said he is concerned that some of his regular or prospective customers might be hesitant to have their cars washed on account of the recent severe drought.

The ingenious system first collects used water from drains inside the car wash and then funnels it into an underground tank. There the water is tumbled through several filters, just as it would in a natural creek, Bryson said.

The filtered water is used in several steps during the car wash process: to keep the washing equipment wet, to clean the car's side panels and to wash the car's underbody. Fresh water is used when the car is rinsed and also when the car's interiors are cleaned or wax is applied.

Bryson says he is able to reclaim almost 50 percent of the water he uses.

The car wash, located just across from Zaxby's on Highway 107 in Sylva, is open from Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call Bryson at 631-3600 for more information.

Jackson County Magazine says: We applaud Rick Bryson for being a good neighbor by being a good steward of Jackson County's valuable but finite natural resources.