Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
Water scarcity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is no longer merely an environmental issue; it has evolved into a serious social, economic, and administrative crisis. On one hand, the water levels of rivers, springs, and groundwater are rapidly declining; on the other, irresponsible and wasteful use of water in daily life has become routine. Vehicle washing is one such activity in which not thousands but millions of liters of precious freshwater are wasted every day, despite the fact that in developed countries used water is recycled and reused for the same purpose. Unfortunately, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this modern, scientific, and environmentally friendly practice has neither been adopted with seriousness at the governmental level nor has public awareness risen to the point where this wastage is recognized as a grave problem.
An assessment of the situation at the governmental level clearly reveals that there is no clear, strict, and effective policy in the province regarding water use at vehicle washing stations. Neither has the use of recycled water been made mandatory, nor is there effective monitoring to determine which car wash centers are using freshwater and which are relying on alternative systems. Departments related to environment, local government, and irrigation often shift responsibility onto one another, resulting in water conservation remaining confined to statements and files rather than practical action. It is a bitter reality that abroad—where water resources are comparatively more abundant—laws strictly bind car wash centers to treat and reuse wastewater, while here, despite acute scarcity, silence prevails.
At the public level, the situation is no more encouraging. Ordinary citizens rarely question where the water used to wash their vehicles comes from or where it goes afterward. For most people, “clean water” simply means an open tap with water flowing freely, regardless of whether it is fit for drinking or not. The idea of treating and reusing used water still appears substandard or unacceptable to many, even though modern filtration systems can make this water safe for vehicle washing and several other non-potable uses. This mindset is essentially the result of a lack of public awareness and the absence of effective government-led awareness campaigns.
From a technical standpoint, recycled water systems are neither complex nor impractical. Water used in vehicle washing is collected in tanks and passed through sedimentation units, various filters, carbon filters, and in some cases ultraviolet systems, after which it becomes suitable for reuse. This system has been operating successfully for years in many countries, not only conserving freshwater but also significantly reducing operating costs for car wash owners. Yet in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the main obstacles to adopting such systems are initial investment costs, a shortage of technical expertise, and governmental apathy. If the government truly considers the water crisis a serious issue, the excuse that recycling systems are expensive is hardly acceptable, as the cost of water scarcity is far greater.
The solution to this serious problem lies not merely in criticism but in concrete and practical measures. The government must enact clear legislation to gradually shift all new and existing vehicle washing stations to recycled water systems. At the same time, incentives such as subsidies, soft loans, and tax relief should be provided to encourage car wash owners to adopt these systems without hesitation. A transparent and effective monitoring mechanism must be established so that laws are implemented in practice rather than remaining on paper. At the public level, large-scale awareness campaigns are also essential to convey that using recycled water for vehicle washing is not only safe but also a vital means of conserving water resources for future generations.
Ultimately, it must be acknowledged that water conservation is not the responsibility of a single institution or group; it is a collective obligation. If today we continue to waste precious freshwater on routine activities like vehicle washing, tomorrow that same water will become our greatest necessity. If Khyber Pakhtunkhwa truly aspires to be a sustainable, environmentally responsible province, the use of recycled water in vehicle washing must be adopted not as an option but as an unavoidable necessity. This very approach can steer us away from the water crisis and secure a safer future for generations to come.
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