A call to arms

[squirtgun]

If you are the owner of a pressure washing business in the state of Ga. I ask that you consider writing the governors office concernng the future of your business and our industry in the state of Ga.Our voices need to be heard if we want to continue feed our families.
With the lastest round of water usage restriction you may be forced to shut your business down while industry and bigger businesses are allowed to continue to operate as usual.
Millions of gallons of water used by industry and big business are going unchecked daily and have been since water restrictions were put in place.Even under new state guidelines industry and big business aren't being forced to slow water usage although it being considered.

http://www.gov.state.ga.us/contact_dom.shtml

[MMI Enterprises]

Isn't it true that such restrictions don't usually include business?
Isn't it also true that some places won't have any water for ether personal use or business use in just a few months if ya get no rain? I don't think we can ask the little ones to drnk beer instead of water..

[squirtgun]

The restriction are hitting closer and closer to our type of business daily.If we are going to be forced to stop work and loose our livelihood it should be effecting big businesses and industry as well.Until yesterday pressure washing was exempted from restriction in my part of Ga.,but companies north of here were seeing stricter and stricter guidelines daily.Current restrictions are calling for a complete stoppage of any outdoor water usage unless it pertains to agriculture or public safety(fire).
This burden should have to be shared by all not just small business.I'm all for not watering my lawn or washing my vehicles,but why should I as a small busines owner be carrying the responsibility of losing my business,home and vehicles while the pulp wood mills,carpet mills etc keep doing business as usual with no concern for the amount of water they are using.
When I worked in tire manufacturing the power company would limit supply to our plant during peak usage hours to prevent wide spread brown out.Something similar should have been put into place for industry and big business when water restrictions were started.There weren't any restriction in place for them,there aren't now and it looks like there won't be.
So why exactly should I and my fellow Ga. contractors as small business owner sit back and be forced to take the shaft?

[John Doherty]

When we had the droughts in Colorado a few years ago, they banned commercial P/wing, they also stopped all plant watering so no new landscaping could be done.

They put about 20,000 'green workers' out of work.

When the situation got better they restricted p/wing to 2.5 gpm and you had to have them inspect your equipment to get a certificate proving it.

[MMI Enterprises]

So why exactly should I and my fellow Ga. contractors as small business owner sit back and be forced to take the shaft?

Tough situation if indeed small business is treated different then large.
At some point capitalism goes out the window and communal wellfare must be recognized if it gets bad enough. At a local level you have to concede that some huge percentage of farmers or beverage producers must be allowed to continue beyond other trades in order to provide sustainance to the people? Ah but maybe most of it is exported for commercial gain?
The thirsty and hungry can always import food goods or eat cake right?. Being perhaps the agriculture or beverage production is likely for commercial gain on an exporting level it could be argued that they should not be allowed to continue either beyond other trades..
At some point rationing per household with no commercial production whatsoever must be considered. Pray for rain.

[Doug Dahlke]

Originally Posted by NEWHEIGHTS

When we had the droughts in Colorado a few years ago, they banned commercial P/wing, they also stopped all plant watering so no new landscaping could be done.

They put about 20,000 'green workers' out of work.

When the situation got better they restricted p/wing to 2.5 gpm and you had to have them inspect your equipment to get a certificate proving it.

What they should do is restrict homeowners from doing any work themselves and make sure licensed contractors run at 5.5 gpm or higher. Some HO cleaning his driveway with a 2.5 gpm machine, Krudcutter and a wand will use 2 to 3 times the amount of water that I would running 5.5 gpm with a surface cleaner, hot water and proper chems. Less flow, less cleaning, more water usage.

[newlook]

Scott - I hear your pain and hope things get better down there vs. getting worse.

You know this subject matter is one of many that contractors across the United States should be looking at an organization that has some teeth to offer assistance and/or advocate for.

Scott - you going to the RT - right?

[squirtgun]

Originally Posted by newlook

Scott - I hear your pain and hope things get better down there vs. getting worse.

You know this subject matter is one of many that contractors across the United States should be looking at an organization that has some teeth to offer assistance and/or advocate for.

Scott - you going to the RT - right?

Assuming the state doesn't shut us down we are pretty much booked which leave little free time.A RT is a luxury I can not afford right now with the uncertainty of the water situation and I think most already know my feeling about Orgs.
The topic of a new Org being tossed around for Tom's RT may have some merit,but IMO it shouldn't be former PWNA BOD members leading the charge.I liken it to a woman who gets fired from a job for poor performance and then sues for sexual harassment in retaliation.Someone else should lead the charge and the former BOD members work in some kind of advisory position.

[newlook]

I feel you Scott and understandably so as it realtes to priorities.

[newlook]

Here is another story about the water shortage in GA ---

Comcast.net News - National - Lack of Ga. Drought Plan Riles Critics

[newlook]

and the hits keep on coming....
Tennesee Town Runs Out of Water - AOL News

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by squirtgun

Assuming the state doesn't shut us down we are pretty much booked which leave little free time.A RT is a luxury I can not afford right now with the uncertainty of the water situation and I think most already know my feeling about Orgs.
The topic of a new Org being tossed around for Tom's RT may have some merit,but IMO it shouldn't be former PWNA BOD members leading the charge.I liken it to a woman who gets fired from a job for poor performance and then sues for sexual harassment in retaliation.Someone else should lead the charge and the former BOD members work in some kind of advisory position.

Most of us are so burned out by our experience (this includes me) on the PWNA BOD that we would only be willing to share ideas and give opinions or advice (advisory role). Getting involved and having to deal with all the politics (ALL orgs have them - NO escaping it) all over again is the last thing I am interested in. But I will say I wish them all the luck in the world.

Beth

[newlook]

and it is so unfortunate that there is not one organization that I know of that is and/or planning to step up to the plate and offer any ideas/suggestions/relief to ALL the contractors that are feeling the squeeze due to the water shortage.

Just an acknowledgment from an organization that they hear and recognize the issues currently before the contractors in the south would probably go along way!

Scott - you know where I stand on the water issue(s) and I do plan on bringing in a few more minds on that subject matter that I mentioned to you the other day.

Please keep us informed of what goes on down there in GA!!

[pressurepls]

Hey Scott I did write the Gov the other day. I don't expect a response as one voice .That is good you did the same thing. Maybe if 2-300 hundred wrote and called reporters we might get our 15 min.

I am trying other things such as contacting the news rooms of the AJC, WSB TV , speaking to reporters trying to get the word out to the public. I don't think any one of those people give much credit to the PW industry to take this situation seriously.

As for the PWNA it seems to me that it would just strengthen the membership if they stepped up and said something or got involved in someway. I checked there website and did not see anything relating to the drought or any concern for anyone here in GA. I mean I am sure they have a purpose, however the PWNA is the closest thing to a national Org that we have. why don't they act like it?


Todd Gano
Email: pressurepls@comcast.net
Fax: 678-494-1306
Web Page: Pressure+Plus Residential & Commercial Hot Water Power Waashing

[newlook]

I am not sure if we would ever know but I am curious to hear if anyone has any idea approximately how many washers are in the state of GA --- approx?