We're focusing on the wrong things!

[PWNC]

One of the PWNC contractors was contacted by his local newspaper today to have a subsequent interview. Ed called the PWNC office to see if we had any input. I began rattling off the reasons why we SHOULD be washing - environmental impact, run-off, etc... Then we decided that the PWNC should issue a statement for the newspaper, especially since they seemed to be more interested in the truth than just spitting out that "pressure washing is banned". With the much appreciated editing of Beth, a fabulous statement was issued from the PWNC.

Tonight I have been involved in some emails because again, I felt that misinformation was being published and during the "yes I'm upset" parts, it occurred to me that the focus is getting sidetracked.

We all say our industry gets no respect, there are too many hacks, lowballers, etc... We've been an easy target for water restrictions because of our high visibility (outside spraying seemingly large quantities of water) but the true, actual fact is that the services our industry provides to our neighborhoods, towns & cities is invaluable.

I believe that the focus of this new national endeavor (not certain of the proper letters anymore) should be to educate the public - period. Not discount this or try to sell that widget or even to train contractors to a degree - I mean EDUCATE the public. The larger percentage of companies are still perfectly able to wash so long as no one continues to perpetuate rumors that we're prohibited or banned.

The Education needs to come from the place that OUR INDUSTRY is the best line of defense in protecting the environment. Letters don't need to go to officials about how we can do this or do that......they need to say - THIS IS WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.

If the RFW/UAMCC would step up to the plate and TELL the people, if we don't do our jobs, your rivers will look like (bad picture) because of - and then list the actual stuff that happens - get THOSE facts and statistics and use them to our advantage. It's not about taking figures or statutes and creating mass hysteria. It's got to be about being part of the solution, not the problem.

Don't you hate watching the news because 99% of it is bad? Does it ever occur to anyone else that if they reported more good things, people might act like better people? It's the same principal. If the national group simply continues to drive the point home that we are the good guys, instead of harping on which counties in what states are in the worst level, then we can all work, we can all comply and we're truly the good guys.

This has been our best defense with the PWNC. It's not about getting this restriction lifted or helping haul in water. It's about what our industry provides and how we continue to do it. Our people are listening here - it does work.

Sorry for the rant......2:30 am can do that sometimes.

[PWNC]

Statement from the PWNC (Power Washers Network of the Carolinas)


One of the missions of the PWNC is public education. For many years, the pressure washing industry has been misunderstood. It is important to note that there is a distinct difference in both quality and performance between professional power washing companies and their part time counterparts who often enter the industry for a temporary period of time out of economic need.

As water is one of our primary tools, our industry has become an environmentally conscious profession as a natural business progression. Environmental studies show that continued national growth, increased industrial pollutants, and a growing population continue to contribute to our contaminated waters.

As towns and cities grow, the need for impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and buildings increase as well. Increases in personal automobiles, trucks, RV's and other recreational vehicles occupy our roadways. Industrial growth and consumer product usage and spills create more pollution. As these contaminants fall to rest on the roadways, sidewalks, parking lots and building tops, the potential for being carried by natural run-off process is inevitable.

The PWNC recognizes that in order to preserve our ecosystem and waters, it is our responsibility to properly maintain these surfaces to decrease the amount of contaminants carried off during rains. Through years of industry study and testing, detergents and equipment have been developed for professional companies to use as part of their daily routine in order to keep our environment safe.

PWNC contractors are working with law enforcement agencies when called for graffiti abatement. Training is being provided to help these companies identify potential gang activity so that more eyes are available to alert the proper authorities. It is one more small contribution that we feel is our obligation to our fellow Carolinians.

Responsible companies have voluntarily decreased washing that is for purely aesthetic reasons. However, more often than not, when a pressure washing company is called to wash a home or roof there is a health related issue that is also present. A large percentage of the population has developed allergies to nearly invisible airborne irritants such as pollen, mold and mildew. If left unchecked, one’s home can become a prime source of health issues.

Water is a recyclable resource. Today's technology allows professionals to reclaim and clean water from impervious surfaces. Even when cleaning homes or buildings that are surrounded by ground, rather than concrete, the water we use returns to the water tables for everyone’s use. As for the detergents that also enter, earth itself is the most effective filtering system. Through natural bioremediation, the water that enters the water tables is clean.

Current water restrictions set out by certain towns and cities are creating some issues where cleaning is concerned, however, the larger percentage of professional companies have the ability to obtain water from alternative sources in order to continue to work. The general misperception of our industry is actually causing more harm for these professional companies than the restrictions themselves, and the above mentioned companies are your most effective source for ongoing, environmentally conscious cleaning.

[PPC]

cool keep up the good work celeste GET SOME SLEEP!!!!

[PWNC]

Thanks Mike - more proactive steps were taken today to dispel misinformation.

[plainpainter]

Celeste is on the war path, watch out! I had this one customer overlooking my shoulder, and as I was diluting the chemicals that had washed onto the ground - he starts telling me he doesn't want me to do that - he thought it made it worse, can you believe it?

[CarolinaProWash]

I am not on a "war path" Daniel - forgive me for being passionate about what goes on in this industry - especially when it involves where I live & work - and suggesting things that may help.

Celeste

[James]

Keeep up the good work Celeste.

[4000psi]

Give me a "P" give me a "W" give me an "N" give me a "C"

PWNC!!!

[Beth n Rod]

Glad to help with the statement.
How are things going? Is everyone working from the same page? It seems to me, that all the voices need to be singing from the same sheet of music. Hope it's all good.

Beth

[CarolinaProWash]

As you are all aware, the PWNC has been successful in changing the views of the media and many of our customers where the utilization of pressure washing companies is concerned. While we are still facing water restrictions in certain areas, for the most part, we have managed to curb the misinformation that is available for public consumption.

This misinformation subject is what compelled me write the article above (with help!) and to continuously and actively pursue correcting wrong or inflammatory information as it is found.

Are all voices on the same page - no. Though I have no doubt that certain other organizations have the best of intentions, they are NOT located in our area therefore are relying on sites such as NCDrought.org for the restrictions that are published on their site and other publicly visible forums. Even though the NCDrought site states that the conditions that are displayed are “broad scale” and that local areas may be monitoring differently for local conditions, others insist on publishing information that is equivalent to Chicken Little screaming “The sky is falling!” And while not one county in NC is listed as a D4 condition anymore, there are statements published - in RED print - that we are prohibited from washing during that stage. The NC counties listed in D3, few of whom are following the “state recommended plan” still indicate that our profession is banned from doing our jobs unless federal or state health & safety regulations apply. The majority of us know this to be absolutely untrue!

The larger percentage of South Carolina has very limited restrictions – you might say that SC has “flown under the radar”, until it was posted on a publicly viewable area that most of the counties in SC are in a D3 condition!

We are all aware of the difficulty we faced when dealing with our local media and local public perception. It is my opinion that for other groups, not local to our area to continue to argue with us – the local companies directly affected by water conditions in our areas and those fighting daily to get work – is directly undermining what we have achieved thusfar.

Again, I am in no way personally diminishing efforts to raise awareness or anything else positive that anyone does for our industry as a whole, we are all here and experiencing the stigma and problems that arise when we use water during a time when it is not as available as we are accustomed to. It doesn’t help our cause at all when another industry “organization” purposely publishes information that is not applicable or takes a position that makes us appear to be breaking the law.



Celeste

[PWNC]

The PWNC would like to extend a thank you to all who have modified published information to reflect a more accurate state of affairs for the washers in North Carolina. Your support is appreciated.