Clean car maniacs are in a frenzy. New water-saving regulations imposed by the National Infrastructures Ministry are forcing the car-washing industry and private citizens to change their car-cleaning habit. As of today, car owners will be allowed to scrub their vehicles clean with a pail of water, but not with a running hose. Automatic car washes have 60 days to install the new equipment to recycle water or close down. An individual caught next to a dripping car with a hose in his hand faces a fine of 2,000 NIS ($470). A business violating the new regulations may have to pay up to 9,000 NIS.
The measures were necessary in order to preserve the limited water supply that Israel has in light of drought conditions prevailing over the last few years. Another regulation limits watering of lawns between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM only. One measure not taken to conserve water was the suspension of the supply of 3000 cubic meters of water per hour to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The supply of water is part of the water agreement worked out as part of the Israel-Jordan treaty of 1994.
The measures were necessary in order to preserve the limited water supply that Israel has in light of drought conditions prevailing over the last few years. Another regulation limits watering of lawns between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM only. One measure not taken to conserve water was the suspension of the supply of 3000 cubic meters of water per hour to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The supply of water is part of the water agreement worked out as part of the Israel-Jordan treaty of 1994.