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Drought fears: Car wash faces closure
24 Aug
Summary
- Car wash operator Klodian Ferati fears business closure due to drought restrictions.
- Southern Water applied for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban.
- The proposed ban could prevent businesses from using water for cleaning vehicles.
A car wash business in Botley, Hampshire, faces potential closure due to drought restrictions. Klodian Ferati, operator of Pinkmead Car Wash, expressed significant worry about a proposed Non-Essential Use Ban (NEUB) that could halt operations.
Southern Water has applied to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) for a Drought Order and NEUB. This measure is intended to protect water supplies and the environment, as more than half of England has been declared in drought.
Ferati stated that if the ban is implemented, Pinkmead Car Wash would have to 'close up completely' as water is essential for their services. While acknowledging the need for water conservation, he hopes for a compromise that allows the business and its employees to continue working.
A Southern Water spokesperson clarified that the application for a Drought Order and NEUB are precautionary measures. They emphasized that implementation is not guaranteed but is part of a regulatory process to safeguard water resources during dry conditions. The company is actively working to reduce leakage and prioritize the protection of the River Test.
