Parts of South-Europe are currently suffering from a heatwave, with temperatures up to 40°C. This also has an effect on car washing. In parts of France it’s already forbidden to wash your car privately.

In France, currently 12 departments are on high alert when it comes to the heat. They are classified red. This means, people have to stay at home as much as possible and drink plenty of water. All in all, restrictions are in place in a third of the country.

Water which is running scarce in some parts (see map) of the country. Therefore, the Ministry of Ecological Transition advises to use water sparingly in case of high heat.

“Go to the car wash”

In some departments it’s forbidden to water the garden. Moreover, authorities strictly advise against washing the car privately. “Instead, go to the car wash”, they say. Where water is recycled and polluting soap is not ending up in the sewers.

The month of May in France was the hottest since weather records began, with an average temperature of 17.8 degrees. The highest temperatures were reached in Ajaccio on Corsica with 36.2 degrees Celsius.

Also read: 

• Car washing restricted as heatwave hits parts of Europe
• Caramba takes water conservation to academic level
• INOWA opens biological wastewater plant in Dubai
• World Water Day: Istobal calls for responsible water use
• This is how a car wash can work on climate targets

Photo: Jeremy Bezanger, Unsplash