Ministry of Water Calculates Water Consumption by Car Washes and Bathhouses in Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has conducted a comprehensive assessment of water usage at car washes and bathing facilities across Kazakhstan, TuraNews.kz reports.

According to Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, speaking at a round table in the Mazhilis, the average water consumption for washing a single car at a self-service car wash ranges from 200 to 250 liters. For larger vehicles such as trucks and buses, this figure increases significantly to between 500 and 700 liters per wash. Annually, this translates to an estimated 100 million cubic meters of water for car washing alone. Additionally, bathhouse complexes consume approximately 120 million cubic meters of water each year.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, Minister Nurzhigitov noted that as of October 1, 2023, Kazakhstan had approximately 5 million registered vehicles, with cars accounting for 88.1%, trucks 10%, and buses 2.1%. Compared to the same period in 2022, the number of vehicles has seen a notable increase, with cars rising by 18.6%, trucks by 15%, and buses by 23.4%.

To address the escalating water usage, the ministry advocates for the adoption of water recycling technologies. Minister Nurzhigitov stressed the necessity of implementing such measures, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises including car washes, saunas, bath complexes, and repair production facilities.

The proposal for water recycling technologies comes amidst growing concerns over water scarcity and the sustainable management of water resources in Kazakhstan. By promoting the recycling of water in commercial operations, the ministry aims to mitigate the strain on the country’s water reserves and foster more environmentally responsible practices within these sectors.