Car wash crackdown in residential areas
sharjah — The Sharjah Municipality has launched a crackdown on car washers who pollute the environment while cleaning vehicles of residents — mostly holidaying abroad. “Residents are seeking illegal car washers to keep their cars clean while they travel abroad. Building watchmen and blue-collared workers, who are free in the evening resort to washing the car of residents, for an extra income. They are violating the regulation which bans washing cars in residential areas or public streets,” said Saeed Bu Rahaima, director of inspection operations at the Sharjah Municipality.
“The violation affects the environment as the dirty water attracts insects which mess up the area. It also distorts the view of the city.”
“During the summer, people travel for over a month and their vehicles are parked near their building or sandy areas. They hire the watchman or someone else to keep it clean and avoid confiscation, without realising that their act is also kind of violation,” said Bu Rahaima.
“Vehicle owners travelling abroad must park their cars in private parking spaces that are authorised to maintain the cleanliness of the car. Vehicle owners who hire illegal car washers will be fined Dh250, while illegal car washers, including the watchmen of buildings, will be fined Dh500,” he added.
The official explained that apart from tarnishing the image of the city, it also affects the businesses of legal car wash stations. “Most petrol stations offer car wash — both manual and automatic — facilities and recycles wastewater in a professional and environment-friendly way to protect the environment and maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the city.
He also noted that most car cleaners roaming around from one parking area to another offering their services are absconders.