France enforces water restrictions on car washes amid drought

Authorities in France are conducting inspections to ensure compliance with water usage restrictions driven by severe drought conditions. In Côte-d’Or, police have been monitoring car wash stations to enforce prefectural decrees aimed at preserving water resources following a significant decline in river levels and soil moisture.

In Alata, the National Gendarmerie is inspecting facilities to ensure they adhere to regulations that permit vehicle washing only via high-pressure systems or those capable of recycling at least 70% of the water used. Some businesses, such as the Rossi service station, have already implemented advanced recycling systems that recover approximately 90% of water to mitigate the impact of recurring drought episodes.