EPA bans use of hose pipe for washing cars

LAHORE:Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab imposed a ban on the usage of hose pipe in government offices and residential buildings for washing cars.

An order issued by EPA DG on Wednesday stated that the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), through its National Drought Monitoring Centre (NDMC) issued advisory that Punjab province has experienced 42% below normal rainfall from September 1 2024 to January 15, 2025, leading to mild to moderate drought conditions.

He stated that EPA Punjab was mandated to anticipate and mitigate potential environmental hazards and to ensure the prudent use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

EPA DG maintained that in exercise of powers under Section 6 (1) (t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, the EPA Punjab was empowered to take all necessary measures for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and improvement of the environment, prevention and control of pollution, and promotion of sustainable development.

The EPA has already taken the following steps for conservation of water: Immediate closure of all illegal/unapproved car wash/service stations, mandatory installation of carwash waste water recycling system and channels at car wash stations, ban on use of oil washing of vehicles, ban on the use of water for washing of cars through use of hose pipes in the houses, ban on flood irrigation of lawns, gardens, golf courses and green belts, ban on use of groundwater in construction activities. Only surface water/recycled water can be used and ban on establishment of new car wash stations.

In his order, EPA DG said this order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until modified or withdrawn and warned that any violation of this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Environmental experts said the order was impossible to be implemented as it needed an extraordinary large field force, which would be patrolling on every street to find the violators. When contacted, EPA spokesperson said that the EPA has asked the Safe City Authority and other field formations of different government departments to share pictures of the violators so that action could be taken against them.