LAHORE:
The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an offensive in car wash stations throughout the province for not installing mandatory water recycling systems, as part of broader efforts to combat an intensified water crisis.
The measure occurs after the EPA imposed a prohibition of the entire province last week in the establishment of new car wash stations to avoid greater pressure on the water resources of Punjab.
The application campaign was activated by means of a deadline of February 28 for compliance, aimed at 3,525 ordered car wash facilities to adopt water savings systems. According to EPA officials, the initiative is intended to curb excessive water consumption in the middle of assembly drought conditions. The Pakistan’s department of Meteorology reported that Punjab rainfall from September 1, 2024 to January 15, 2025 was 42% below average.
As of this week, the EPA has issued notices at 2,557 stations, closed 322 and sealed 159 for breach. Fines greater than RS600,000 have been imposed. Meanwhile, 646 facilities have installed the required recycling systems.
The repression follows an order issued on February 12 by the CEO of the EPA, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, which also requires a fine of RS100,000 for non -compliant gasoline pumps. To a related measure, the government has banned vehicle washing in private residences, with offenders facing fines.
To further protect the exhausted water reserves of the province, the EPA issued a directive last week, under section 6 (1)
“From immediately, this order will remain in force until it modifies or withdraws,” said the EPA. The directive also warned that the violations would be punished under section 188 of the Pakistan Criminal Code.
Highlighting the environmental cost of commercial cars washing, the EPA said that traditional stations use approximately 400 liters of water per vehicle, a level considered unsustainable in current conditions.
