NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey recently announced that from 1 March 2020 water restrictions would drop from level 2 to level 1 for greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra Water. However, on checking the Sydney Water website, ACWA discovered that conditions for commercial car washing remained unchanged.
It is pleasing to report that as of today, this situation has been resolved and commercial car washes in areas under Sydney Water’s authority will revert to more favourable Level 1 conditions. Indeed, Sydney Water has approved an additional concession, allowing operators to average water use per car across all wash types on the site. This is a condition ACWA fought for during Level 2 Restrictions.
Level 1 Restrictions for commercial car washing in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra are:
- All commercial car washes must apply for a Water Restrictions Exemption.
- Commercial car washes may wash vehicles using any wash method.
- Commercial car washes must use an average* of fewer than 125 litres of drinking water for each car washed*.
- *125L/wash is the efficiency requirement.
- Most car wash sites use multiple car wash systems (self-serve and auto, for example).
- Average water use is calculated per vehicle across each washing method used on the site.
ACWA encourages all members to ensure they hold a Water Restrictions Exemption. The Exemption is an online application process https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/what-we-re-doing/water-restrictions/water-restrictions-exemption-request/index.htm
Members should also be aware that a fine of $550 (per day) may be applied to businesses who have not applied for an Exemption.