As the rain continues to fall and warnings of drought conditions persist, many local business owners are left questioning current water restrictions.
In accordance with Phase II water restrictions that went into effect about a month ago, "all washing of automobiles, trucks, trailers or any other type of motor vehicle or mobile equipment is prohibited."
The mandate initially forced all car washes to shut down completely because they had no water with which to wash vehicles.
"It's been crippling to the whole car wash economy in this market," said Craig Hanson, President of Wash Tech, a car wash service and supply company based in Charlottesville.
However, Charlottesville City Council may offer car wash owners some relief soon, as they will reevaluate restrictions now that the reservoir's water level has once again reached 70 percent.
"Our board of directors is meeting [Wednesday], and I believe they will act to restore service to car washes," said Bill Brent, executive director of the Albemarle County Service Authority.
As of yesterday, the total usable water supply was at 74.1 percent.
Many car washes now have reopened using alternative water sources.
"In general, it's reduced the business we do by about one third," said Brian Harris, general manager of Express Car Wash on Route 29. "It's affected our employees' paychecks -- they are working less hours and making less money."
To compensate for restrictions, local car wash owners have resorted to other means of legitimate water acquisition and essentially "reinvent[ed] the wheel," Harris said.
"We were closed for approximately three weeks," said Paul Sisk, general manager of Tiger Fuel Company that operates three car washes in Charlottesville. "We have managed to secure water from an unrestricted source."
Sisk followed the trend of other local car washes and quickly sought alternative solutions to the problem.
"We are washing using trucked- in water," he said. "This adds to the cost of our operation and affects our bottom line."
Many local car washes report they have been forced to raise the cost of services temporarily, to offset the cost of imported water.
Several local car wash owners said they do not think the water restrictions were imposed equally.
"We as car wash owners feel that we were unfairly singled out," Sisk said.
While all local businesses, including the University, were required to reduce water consumption by 20 percent, local car washes had their water supply cut off completely.
"Car washes are a very visible user of water although we use a very small percentage of water," Sisk said.
Sisk said the percentage of total water use exhausted by car washes totals only one third of one percent.
Still, Brent defends the Phase II restrictions.
"At the point we made the decision to shut car washes, the water supply was plummeting and there was no forecast of rain," he said. "With only 80 days of water left, we decided it was necessary to reduce unnecessary uses of water. I don't second guess this decision at all."
He added that other groups such as power washing facilities, swimming pool companies, lawn irrigation operators and nurseries also were required to cease commercial water use.
But local car wash owners disagreed with Brent's rationale.
"Car washes are good water stewards," Hanson said. "We always see ourselves as leading water conservation everyday, not just during an emergency."
He added car washes' financial commitment to such conservation as well.
"A lot of people invested money in water recycling equipment, only to be shut down," he said.
Water recycling equipment can recapture a portion of water used during the car wash procedure and reprocess it through filters.
Car wash owners said they hope the city will lift restrictions soon.
"We will be able to recover," Harris said. "We will take a temporary loss of income, but we will be able to recover eventually."
Read More
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more
By Grace Traxler | 18 hours agoIn an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.
Summer Language Institute sees record high enrollment in its 45th year
By Zach Minkin | 19 hours agoFor the first time in its 45-year history, SLI is featuring both four week and eight week options, where it previously only offered an eight week program.
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | 3 days ago"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
