Commercial car washes will once again be unrestrained in what hours those businesses may be open.
Iola City Council members eased the city’s water restriction policies for car washes, even though the city remains under a Stage 2 Water Warning issued by the Kansas Water Office.
The water warning was issued earlier this month because of the ongoing drought.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh said the restrictions for car washes was largely inconsequential because the businesses do not rank among the top 15 water users in the city.
Instead, the restrictions unfairly harmed those businesses, Slaugh contended.
The other restrictions will remain in place. Lawn watering is limited to odd or even-numbered dates, depending on whether a resident’s address ends in an odd or even number. And Iolans are not allowed to wash their cars at home between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Benefit car washes also will not be allowed.
The vote to ease the restrictions passed 6-1, Don Becker opposed. Becker said his opposition stemmed from the ongoing prohibition of benefit car washes.
“They don’t use that much water,” Becker contended.
Councilman Beverly Franklin was absent.
IN A RELATED matter, Water Plant Superintendent Toby Ross said the city remains in wait-and-see mode to determine if a Stage 3 Water Emergency would be declared by state water office anytime soon.
It would likely take several more weeks or months of no rain for a water emergency declaration, Ross said.
A water emergency triggers even tighter restrictions on water usage. Car washes would be banned altogether and outdoor lawn watering prohibited.
Additionally, the city would meet with large-scale water users — namely industries — to determine ways for those places take whatever steps are necessary to limit water usage.
