Did I read the same article???
I did read something about contractors and vendors getting together to discuss the ban and drought restrictions. I did see a comment about trying to get vendors to give discounts on equipment that would reclaim used water for re-use. BUT, I didn't see anyone saying buy this and it will solve all your problems. I don't believe that was the main focus of the article at all.
From what I read my impression was that the main focus of the article was to let contractors know that there is a wide spread drought and that contractors are joining together to fight against the media's message.
The bottom line is, I don't really know if any of this will help but I support anyone trying to help contractors through the droughts in different areas. Think about this for a second. Even if manufacturers gave away equipment to could reclaim all water that was used, then filter it so it could be re-used would it really help the current situation? No, I don't think it would.
Unfortuanetly the problem as I see it, is the water supplies are dwindling due to nature and most importantly, bad planning at the local government level. The local governments never planned well for the growing consumption of water that accurs with economic and household growth.
Ask yourself this question honestly. If you weren't a power washer and you were in a drought affected area, would you hire a contractor to power wash your deck, knowing that it would dwindle the supply of water you have to give your kids to drink, even by a gallon?
As a parent, this is what I see as a major part of the problem, couple that with the media telling me every day that water supplies are getting lower and lower. The newspapers, TV, Internet and everything else saying save water, save water and creating fear for the consumers that hire power washers. This is the problem!
Even if the local governments said okay, we will allow power washing. How many consumers in the affected areas would pick up their phones and say, I want you to power wash my deck???
I feel for any power washer in the drough affected areas and honestly I wish I could help but there really isn't anything I can do. Sending in money to RFP won't help, it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars to do the least bit of good. I've written to some of your senators as asked on other boards, I've contacted the media and submitted articles to some of them. I've got some good freinds that are contractors and vendors in the affected areas and they know that if there is anything I can do to help that they can call me. I've even offered to share some of my work to companies in drought areas if that would be any help but these are the only things I can think of to help at this point.
