Pindi bans new car wash stations amid water crisis

Punjab experiences 42% less rainfall this year, intensifying concerns over water scarcity

RAWALPINDI:

To mitigate the growing threat of a severe water crisis, the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment of new car wash service stations across the province, including all six districts of Rawalpindi Division.

The department has issued a warning that violators of the ban will face legal action under Section 188.

The department's Director General Dr Imran Sheikh stated that washing a single car consumes approximately 40 litres of water, while motorcycles require around 20 litres and larger vehicles up to 50 litres.

With thousands of vehicles washed daily, billions of litres of water are being wasted—resources that could otherwise be conserved.

According to the Rawalpindi district office of the department, there are an estimated 10,000 car wash stations operating in the Rawalpindi range alone.

Additionally, thousands of individuals are engaged in small-scale car washing services in local markets, typically using 5 to 7 litres of water per vehicle.

Punjab has experienced 42 per cent less rainfall this year, intensifying concerns over water scarcity.

The department has also enforced a strict ban on the use of diesel during vehicle washing at existing service stations in the Rawalpindi Division. The use of diesel and oil, especially when sprayed with high-pressure air and water on vehicle engines and tyres, renders the wastewater extremely polluted and unrecyclable.

Any service station found using diesel or oil will be sealed.

Starting Monday, April 7, the department will issue fines and potentially shut down car wash stations across Rawalpindi Division that fail to install proper water recycling systems, despite prior notices.

Recycled water must be used for operations moving forward, and non-compliance will result in heavy penalties and legal action.

In February, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department issued formal red notices to all 465 car wash service stations, both large and small, in Rawalpindi district, instructing them to install wastewater recycling systems.

According to officials, the notices were issued in response to the potential severe water crisis due to ongoing drought conditions. The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency, and the District Council administration have also issued similar notices to service stations, private tube wells, and bore well owners, setting a deadline of February 28 for installation.

In response, car wash station owners have protested, questioning how they could afford the costly system so quickly.