Photo by Kevin Morley
For over a decade, Go Green Auto Care has led the charge for rainwater harvesting in Virginia, proving that small businesses can be a force for environmental innovation. At the heart of this movement are Tyrone and Leslie Jarvis, a husband-and-wife team who turned a $5,000 water bill crisis into a statewide campaign for water independence.
Their journey began when Tyrone discovered a hidden underground leak at their shop, resulting in a staggering bill and deep frustration over wasted resources. When a city employee jokingly suggested he “catch rain,” Tyrone and Leslie took the idea seriously. They researched, sourced equipment, and engineered a filtration system using UV and carbon filters to purify harvested rainwater. What they created was simple, clean, and effective producing crystal-clear, drinkable water.
Instead of being applauded, they were shut down by the City of Newport News, which cited outdated codes that didn’t account for rainwater use and forced them back onto the municipal system. That roadblock sparked something bigger.
Refusing to back down, the Jarvis family took their fight to Richmond, working alongside Delegate David Yancey to pass HB192 in 2018, which required Virginia to develop official regulations for potable rainwater harvesting. Leslie’s research and policy work were instrumental in making this historic legislation a reality.
Their advocacy didn’t stop there. In 2024, they helped secure the passage of SB851, with the support of Senator Danny Diggs. This second law expanded legal protections for rainwater harvesters and passed without a single vote of opposition further validating their work and vision.
Following these landmark victories, Tyrone and Leslie were invited by Governor Glenn Youngkin to Richmond, where they were personally honored for their role in shaping Virginia’s water future. Tyrone was given the opportunity to speak about the impact of rain harvesting, and the Governor publicly praised Go Green Auto Care as a model for sustainable business practices. Their story once one of resistance and rejection was now being celebrated as a legacy of progress.
Now, Go Green Auto Care is building on that momentum. We are actively collaborating with partners across Virginia to design and implement scalable rainwater harvesting systems. Our goal is to create sustainable, cost-effective models that ease pressure on municipal systems, lower utility costs, and offer climate-resilient solutions for both residential and commercial use.
Rainwater harvesting remains one of the most underutilized tools in the fight for sustainability. Whether for irrigation, car washing, toilet flushing, or even potable use, it offers a smart, scalable, and environmentally sound path forward.
If you're interested in collaborating or learning more, reach out to us at maintenance@gogreenautocare.com.