With the drought, washing your car is now prohibited in many French municipalities.

However, many service stations still welcome fans of car cleanliness.

Washing bans have affected a growing share of the 10,000 French stations in recent years and they have multiplied during this historically dry summer.

The only exception: stations that reuse water in an almost closed circuit are sometimes allowed to remain open, but they are extremely rare.

A situation “not comfortable for operators”

In fact, most stations are still open.

Near Lyon, a station has decided to reserve the washing for emergency vehicles, but does not allow itself to refuse customers.

TotalEnergies, which has 1,000 stations, could not say how many had closed, the situation being “evolving”.

According to a spokesperson, all have been made aware of the prefectural decrees.

Professionals denounce a “cacophony” at the level of the prefectures, the measures varying from one department to another.

Some resorts are considering switching to a water recycling system so they can stay open for the next few summers.

"It's a bit ambiguous as a situation and not comfortable for operators," laments Jean-Luc Cottet, sector representative at Mobilians, which brings together automotive professionals.

Thousands of checks in the middle of a drought

In total, 0.6% of the water consumed in France is used for washing cars, including a third in stations.

A high-pressure jet wash consumes an average of 60 liters of water, or a very long shower.

A portal consumes 120 liters and a washing tunnel 160 liters.

It is forbidden to wash your car with plenty of water on the public highway, under penalty of a fine of 450 euros.

In his yard or garden, washing is limited, with the obligation to recover dirty water.

More than 5,600 checks were carried out this summer in France to enforce drought-related measures.

All police services, municipal and national, and the gendarmerie are authorized to take action.

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