Pindi bans new car wash stations amid water crisis
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 wastedresources 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.
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Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Pindi bans new car wash stations amid water crisis
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 wastedresources 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.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Water recycling plan at car wash stations stalls
The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department (EP&CCD) has completely failed to implement the "Used Water Treatment System" at car wash service stations in the Rawalpindi Division to recycle water for reuse. The Punjab government had issued red notices for installing this system in all 1,370 car service stations in the division, both small and large, with a deadline set for February 28. However, none of the car wash stations in the Rawalpindi Division installed the water treatment system by the given deadline. The department had warned of a crackdown on car service stations starting March 1 if the system was not installed. Despite this, no progress has been made at the car wash stations. Owners of car wash stations claim the system is very expensive and they cannot afford it. They argue that they earn only Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 a day, and a large portion of their income is spent on employee wages and electricity bills. Hakeem Khan, the vice president of the Car Wash Service Station Union, is of the view that if the government and administration want to make this system mandatory, they should provide easy loans or install the system for them, allowing payments to be made in installments.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Wastewater system a must for car wash stations
The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department has 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 (RMC), Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), 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. They have requested interest-free loans from the government to comply. Car Wash Service Station Union Vice President Asghar Khan stated that stations in Rawalpindi wash between 20 and 50 cars daily and cannot afford such an expensive system. He further suggested that instead of imposing bans, the government should focus on building dams for adequate water supply. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department's spokesperson said a complete ban on automatic car washes would be enforced, with a fine of Rs100,000 for violations. High-pressure motor usage for washing cars will incur a Rs10,000 fine. These water conservation measures will take effect immediately, and strict enforcement will be ensured.
