Treat water as route capacity, not only a tank specification
A sixty-five gallon tank does not automatically mean a certain number of vehicles. Service type, pre-rinse habits, pressure-washer setup, vehicle size and operator technique all change consumption. The useful starting point is measured gallons per completed service type.
Keep a reserve out of planned consumption
Usable starting water is tank capacity minus the reserve you choose not to schedule against. A reserve helps prevent the route from failing because one vehicle consumes more than the average or because the tank was not perfectly full.
Build demand from the service mix
Standard, large/high-water and low-water jobs can use different measured gallon assumptions. Multiply each service count by its measured gallons and add other planned water demand. The result is route demand, not a universal consumption benchmark.
Translate water shortfall into operational downtime
If route demand exceeds usable starting water, the planner calculates refills from the amount you say can be added at each stop. It then adds your refill detour and fill time to the route workload. A route can be technically possible but commercially poor if refilling consumes too much of the day.
Check route time separately from water fit
The route-time layer uses the entered average appointment-plus-drive block and adds refill downtime. It does not optimize geography. Use it to see whether water logistics alone push an otherwise normal day beyond your usable work minutes.
Local rules still control water handling
Water sourcing, wastewater capture and discharge requirements vary. This planner does not advise on environmental compliance or safe water handling. Use your actual operating process and local requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find gallons per job?
Measure tank level or metered water use across several real services of the same type and use a conservative recent average.
Why keep a water reserve?
It gives the route tolerance for above-average consumption and incomplete starting fills.
Does this optimize the route?
No. It checks water demand and refill time against the route plan you enter.