Commercial car washes are exempt from UK hosepipe bans, drivers and motorists have been told, as more than 20 million people across the United Kingdom face restrictions amid a prolonged spell of hot and dry weather.
According to Greenpeace UK, water firms in England and Wales are wasting around five times more water through leaky pipes than a nationwide hosepipe ban could save. The restrictions mean hosepipes should not be used for watering gardens, washing cars, allotments, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, or cleaning windows. Sprinkler systems are also part of these restrictions.
Exemption for commercial car washes
AutoExpress explained: “Commercial car washes such as those typically found at fuel stations are generally exempt from hosepipe restrictions, because they recycle the water used, filtering it before reusing it again and again.”
While it may be tempting to use automatic machines, they can damage paintwork and will typically miss parts that are out of reach of the spinning brushes. “Instead, our choice would be a jet wash. Steer clear of the attached brush, which can be laden with dirt and grit, and take your own wash mitt to wipe the bodywork after applying the foam,” the publication advised.
“You will find this much easier and faster if there is someone to help spray while you wipe.”
Advice for gardeners under restrictions
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has advised gardeners managing through hot weather or hosepipe restrictions to use stored rainwater or grey water where possible and to water deeply but less frequently at the base of plants rather than little and often.
Guy Barter, chief horticulturalist at the RHS, said: “As our climate continues to change, adapting how we manage water is essential. During a visit to our RHS Gardens you can see what plants are working well in the current conditions and our teams are on hand to offer advice and support.”
Planting more drought-tolerant species, improving soil health and increasing tree cover and shade can also make gardens more resilient in the years ahead, according to the RHS.
