![Waterless car wash: The new venture capitalizes on our need to conserve water. 040320PHB061 Waterless car wash: The new venture capitalizes on our need to conserve water. 040320PHB061](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/36FM9qHpEAtS8daVXYFgHBA/88e83709-e1c9-4f81-9962-68904533df49.jpg/r0_298_5595_3444_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
These days we're all looking for ways to reduce our water use, but now you don't have to sacrifice a clean car to reduce your water footprint.
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Tamworth's first waterless car wash has opened for business in Bridge Street.
Flourish Australia is behind the project, which will employ people with a mental health issue, giving many of them their first job.
The 'Waterless Car Wash' will be the group's first social enterprise in the New England/North West region.
Flourish Australia Senior Cluster Manager, Jim Booth, said for many, this may be their first real opportunity for meaningful employment and for others it may be a new opportunity where past attempts at employment have failed for various reasons.
"These failures can have a truly devastating effect upon people's lives, and we aim to turn that around and create new jobs across the region," Mr Booth said.
With the community still on Level 5 water restrictions it was seen as an ideal time to enter the marketplace.
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"It is estimated this can save up to 300 litres of water per vehicle wash and works by using spray-on chemicals to soften and lift dirt and other materials from the vehicle and this is wiped off with a microfibre cloth, making sure the vehicle duco is not damaged," Mr Booth said.
A reduced amount of water is used to remove heavy mud.
"We have practiced the systems with our supported employees on-site over the last few months and perfected the use of the chemicals and industrial vacuums to be sure we can provide a quality service and that the team knows what to expect when we swing to commercial operation this week," Mr Booth said.
"Cars are not washed in a hurry so we have a waiting room or people can drop vehicles off and pick them up a few hours later.
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"We have installed EFTPOS facilities (and) ultimately, we hope to attract fleet owners and build our workforce from the current 29 supported employees to more than 50.
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"This creates new employment opportunities in Tamworth for people who have remained unemployed for long periods and provides a new dignity for them in their life, not to mention the importance of having a reason to get out of bed in the morning and the socialisation opportunities that may people had withdrawn from, due to their mental health issues."