The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued notices to 2,557 car wash stations and sealed 159 for failing to install mandatory water recycling systems, as part of a broad crackdown to reduce water consumption amid worsening drought conditions.
The initiative follows a province-wide ban imposed last week on the establishment of new car wash stations to alleviate pressure on Punjab’s water resources.
A February 28 deadline required 3,525 car wash facilities to comply with the new water-saving system regulations. The EPA’s action is part of broader efforts to address excessive water use, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department reporting a 42% decrease in rainfall in the province from September 2024 to January 2025.
As of this week, 322 car wash stations have been shut down for non-compliance, and fines totaling over Rs600,000 have been imposed. Meanwhile, 646 facilities have successfully installed the required water recycling systems.
The crackdown follows an order issued by EPA Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh on February 12, which also imposes a Rs100,000 penalty on non-compliant petrol pumps.
In a related move, the government has banned vehicle washing at private residences, with fines for violators.
To further protect the province’s water resources, the EPA issued a directive under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, last week, imposing a complete ban on the establishment of new car wash stations. The order, signed by Dr. Sheikh, empowers the EPA to enforce sustainable development and environmental protection policies.
The EPA highlighted the environmental impact of traditional car washing practices, noting that such stations use approximately 400 liters of water per vehicle, a practice deemed unsustainable under the current drought conditions.
