Water restrictions limit pressure washing companies

WILMINGTON — Mandatory water restrictions have been in effect in the city of Wilmington for weeks now. That means no pressure washing the outside of homes, a rule that has virtually put professional pressure washers out of business.

At the last City Council meeting pressure washers went in front of council members to clarify the rules. Some water-related businesses are allowed to operate, including lawn care businesses and car washes that use recycled water — but not pressure washing companies.

Pressure washing business owners say the water restrictions have drastically affected their livelihood. Water restrictions prohibit pressure washing, so they can’t make a living.

While business owners say it’s important to do their part in conserving water, they also say they need to be able to pay the bills. That’s why they want the city to change the ordinance to include their operations as part of the water related businesses that are allowed to continue operating.

Cape Fear Pressure Washing owner Ken Wiggins said, “We’ve got people that have families to feed, we’ve got businesses that they’ve got work to be done and we can’t do it. It’s basically shut us down.”

A city spokesperson says changes to the ordinance to include pressure washing businesses is in the works. City Council will hear the changes to the ordinance in their next City Council meeting on November 20.

In the meantime these business owners will just have to sit tight.