Zhao Hai (left) uses high-pressure vapor spray to wash cars at an underground park in Xujiahui Monday. Washing cars with recycled water, high-pressure vapor spray and detergent can help save 80 percent or more of the water traditionally needed to clean a car.

While many are sticking to traditional methods of car wash that involve wasting large quantities of water, some local car wash operators have developed a water saving method of cleaning vehicles that only used a bottle of water.

At a car wash outlet at the underground car park in Xujiahui, workers clean some 200 cars everyday using vapor spray and detergent that leaves little trace of water on the ground. It is one of only 2,000 outlets in the city to use the water-saving method.

Except for the usual way of pouring tap water on cars that is widely taken by fly-by-night outlets, minimum water use techniques include washing cars with recycled water, high-pressure vapor spray and detergent.

All these techniques can help save 80 percent or more of the water traditionally needed to clean a car.

"Recycled water is mainly used by outlets located at gas stations as it needs certain space to place the water tank while minimum water use is the method adopted by those serving residential areas and car parks," said Gu Wenxiang, of the Public Sanitation Bureau.

According to the official survey, about 10 percent of 500 local gas stations are equipped with the water recycling system while around 2,000 car wash outlets are using vapor spray or detergent.

In addition to their contribution to the environment protection, these car washes also try to change people's impression of the industry by providing uniform service and reasonable prices.

Feedback from car owners is positive. When asked yesterday at an outlet using tap water spray if they would choose water-saving methods if it cost the same as the traditional way, three of six car owners said they would.

(eastday.com August 3, 2004)