Wash Bay Fails

Penndot Pulls Plug On $300,000 Truck Wash
Taxpayers Stuck With Bill After Project Backfires
A massive machine meant to save money and go green at Penndot's maintenance facility in Greensburg hasn't been used in months.


The automated truck washing system was built at a cost of $278,000.

It's an elaborate system of pipes and sprayers connected to several huge water tanks housed in a building.

"When it was initially built it was a state wide pilot project to try to be more environmentally friendly with washing equipment, " said Penndot Manager Tim Cook.

Cook said the plan was to use the facility to wash all Penndot trucks in Westmoreland County. Trucks had been going to a local car wash where drivers pressure washed them by hand.

But there were problems from the very beginning.

The truck washing equipment was installed first, but because of permit issues it took another year to install the electrical system.

During that time, the warranty on the wash expired.

Shortly after it went on line, some of the equipment began to fail.

read more...



This is actually good for us as fleet washers. Companies, fleet managers, and business owners are starting to see the benefit of hiring a professional environmentally compliant mobile truck washing company. These wash bays are not cost effective. The maintenance costs involved and chemical costs could cover the price of hiring a professional environmentally compliant mobile truck washing company. The costs for electricity, water and sewer swelled to $10,000 to $15,000 a month, definitely not the savings they hoped for. And the sprayers on the ground couldn't reach up under the trucks. WOW! That says it all! This doesn't even mention the EPA and the new attention they are drawing to themselves. You may be thinking... They have a full loop system that remains EPA compliant. Your right they do, but who needs that extra attention from enforcement agencies. We remove that liability from the client and make sure we stay compliant. That's are job!