Civil servants in Whitehall have drawn up a “reasonable worst case scenario” for the current water shortage, which could see automatic car washes banned from operating until supplies restabalise.
The Times reports that government planners have warned ministers multiple water companies could soon apply for ‘non-essential use bans’, following Southern Water’s request to restrict rollover car washes in its area – an application that has yet to be decided by the Environment Secretary.
With 12 of the 31 reservoirs in England and Wales reporting low or exceptionally low levels, concerns are mounting that more serious measures than the hosepipe bans affecting 26 million people will soon be required to mitigate against the risk of water shortages.
Last week Car Wash Association chair Brian Madderson wrote to the government urging it to tackle the “largely non-compliant” hand car washes that represent 70% of the market, telling Forecourt Trader that banning legitimate valeting operations would be “grossly unfair and disproportionate”.
As well as affecting car washes, non-essential use bans could see football clubs told to stop watering their pitches, and leisure centres prevented from topping up their pools.
