djbrun

Due to the ongoing drought we have here in Cali, San Jose just past a new rule that we are no longer allowed to wash our own vehicles.

I looked at a water reclamation system, but it would take a whole bunch of car washes to pay that set up back.

I guess I will be giving my local detail shop more business.

Bruze

Eh, well the southern guys were making fun of us northern guys who garage our Vettes during the winter -- the last two being especially brutal.

But water? I'm in the boonies, on a well that produces about 20 GPM, and am about 15' from a trout stream that runs year 'round.

Conclusion? -- there is no perfect place to live.

HBsurfer

Try waterless wash. Works great. I have done a complete paint correction on my car and eliminated all swirl marks a year ago. I use Adams waterless wash and have no new swirls. It actually works.

4SUMERZ

I'm also on a well, we get enough snowfall and yearly rain to keep the water table, streams, brooks, lakes topped up. The city, 12 miles away are on a water supply from a lake, and I can't remember a time when the water level was low enough to stop people from washing their cars.
Our summer temps may reach 90F for a few weeks, but stay in the late 70's and 80's from June-September.
We don't have hurricanes, mud slides, tornadoes, earthquakes, rattle snakes to worry about. Snow is a PIA for the most part, because of the mess it makes due to salt and sand to keep the main roads bare.
It's not advisable to drive a vette or other sporty car during the winter, not because of the snow per say, but because of the crazies on the roads driving too fast for the conditions.
It would be nice to drive year round, but with that also comes other perils as stated.

Hopefully Cali will get a bunch of rainfall soon to replenish their water reservoirs.

Rky Mtn C6

This is what happens when socialists run things.

whit1

I used to live in Ma where every summer there would be a water ban. Go figure. With all the snow n rain these politicians vote for water ban. Stupid. I said F them every summer. I washed my car constantly beside my house or in back yard

TerryL

San Jose...socialists?

Richard G.

Sorry to hear of the drought situation. I know most of us like to keep it clean. You people have a very serious situation in your state. How ironic it is to have the ocean next door and you can not use it. Someone needs to get a thinking out there!!

BWF07

We have had these in the past, yes hard to believe that Florida would have an issue like this but it happens.

What I would do is load my buckets car shampoo and drying towels in the car and go top the local do it yourself car wash/ Because they recycled their water they remained open. I only used their water to fill the buckets and rinse the car. I never used their foam brush. Got the job done.

RocketDawg

They also remain open during water restrictions because they are a business that would go under if not allowed to operate. It's easier to restrict homeowners because the consequences are generally nil.

I do the same as you at the car wash. We occasionally have water restrictions here in the summer, but it's generally an odd/even house number restriction. I don't ever remember an outright ban on washing a car, watering a lawn, etc.

scottaolsen

The water restrictions there do seem a little goofy. For instance, it appears you can water your lawn all you want with a hose by hand but you can't use sprinklers. What if you wash your car on your lawn? I can wash my car so all the water goes into my landscaping, but most the time I do it in my garage, to keep it out of the sun.

Flame Red

My suggestion, wash your car in the garage with the garage door closed in the middle of the night. Be a "closet" car washer.

mike100

My water district has only said they don't want water running to the gutter in the street- I'm good with that. I have skipped a couple of washes and did my C4 with waterless wash twice now too, but after our weekend rain, I'm definitely going to wash my mustang soon.

I will never bring my cars to the car wash again...I've seen those hacks drop sponges on the ground and just keep using them.

jrose7004

Well after all, water is the next gold! Just try and water your grass this summer.

WA 2 FST

Here in N. Texas, we had the same situation about 3 years ago. Then they eased the water restrictions and let us wash our cars as long as the hose had a shut-off valve (hand sprayer, basically).

While we were in that situation where we could not wash vehicles, they still had the local DIY carwash stations open. I know that is recycled water, but it was better than nothing. I would take my bucket, microfiber sponges, and my own car wash solution and just go spend $5 in quarters washing my car.

It was an inconvenience, but my vehicles stayed clean.

Hopefully your area hasn't shut down those businesses.

johnodrake

Many articles like this. Citizens need new representatives.

http://www.science20.com/science_20/...problem-154625

Not So Fast

Lived in So Cal all my life, now retired in Arizona last 12 yrs.
My question is this (and I know there is a drought OK)
The Colorado River can not supply the entire area!! Including Vegas. Too many straws sucking out of it.
1 has there been any thought to stopping such rampant development?
2 has there been any talk of bringing in water from areas that are burdened with it by, say a pipeline??
3 has there been any talk of desalination of ocean water?
4 the Prado Dam (in Corona)could stop releasing every drop that comes from the Angeles National forest during rainy season. in fact it never stops there, just runs wildly thru it to the ocean.
IT IS A DESERT YET IT IS PLANTED WITH WATER SUCKING PLANTS AND TREES EVERYWHERE.
What they do is RAISE RATES EVERY TIME.
Why isn't something done to alleviate this, you got me
NSF

mike100

^^^ there are two desal plants going online in Carlsnbad and HB.

Cherokee Nation

Ca. should of put water restrictions in affect years ago?? Down here we stay in stage two. Only can wash a car on garbage pick-up day & we are not in a dought.This is Texas............

Not So Fast

Really, I used to live by that Batiqous Lagoon (spelling?) and always thought it was a logical place to harness some of the oceans power coming in & out every day. Maybe things will change, Moonbeam will see to it eh?
But I will bet you a steak dinner that water rates will go up shortly, always has
NSF