Wash U, a carwash company from Plainfield, is looking to open shop in Naperville. On Oct. 16, three representatives, Kathy West, Craig Nelson and Steve Timmer of the company came before the city council to request a permit to open in the city.

The company wants to build on 1150 E. Ogden Ave. Previously located there was a Famous Dave’s Barbeque.

Ogden Ave is part of a ongoing city council effort to bring business into the city. City council members considered the merits of the new business on what they called a “service corridor.” A service corridor is a section of city that provides services like car washes, gas, and auto repairs.

Although the company is doing well in two locations and seeking to expand, both residents and the city had concerns, as 1150 E. Ogden directly backs a residential neighborhood.

Dorin Cuicur, a resident of the neighborhood in question, expressed worry that chemicals from the carwash would cause contamination and pollute their land. The city council was also concerned about the possible contamination.

According to Nelson, Wash U uses 1/10th of an ounce of chemical cleaner for one gallon of water — a relatively low amount for a car wash — because their cleaning process relies more heavily on friction than chemicals.

They also claimed the efficiency of their water cleaning process and the holding tanks they used, which have no seams because the concrete is poured into one mold rather than into separate parts. Because of this process, they believe their business will not create any chemical contamination in the neighborhood.

Some members of the city council, including Councilwoman Patty Gustin, were not entirely persuaded and wanted the company to build a well to monitor for contamination for a year.  This recommendation was vetoed, however, by Councilman Paul Hinterlong because he believed it would be ineffective and therefore unnecessary, as it can take decades for contamination to become evident.

The council voted 6-3, and Wash U was granted their permit to operate on Ogden.