The operator of a controversial car wash in Shalfleet says he is to close the business, which comes after Southern Water identified a series of water safety contraventions – including 4 categorised as serious health hazards.
Marian Mircea, who operates the car wash at Shalfleet Service Station between Newport and Yarmouth, announced the intended closure in a video posted on social media earlier today (Tuesday).
Mr Mircea says the landlord ‘wants him out’ and says he has decided to close the car wash, although a specific date has not been provided.
The announcement is the latest development in an escalating dispute at the site, where Shalfleet Garage owner Chris Cornford blocked access to the car wash with a truck last Thursday over concerns about the health of his staff, chemical mist and alleged environmental pollution.
Southern Water has since carried out inspections, with a Water Regulations inspection identifying 6 contraventions, including 4 rated FC5 – ‘Very High (Serious Health Hazard)’.
Issues included insufficient backflow protection, a cold water tank design likely to cause contamination and serious Legionella risks associated with exposed cisterns and the hose supplying them. A 2-week timeframe was given for the contraventions to be addressed.
A separate wastewater inspection found contaminated runoff from the car wash was passing through the former petrol station interceptor and highway drainage system before discharging into a roadside ditch.
The ditch was visibly polluted with a strong chemical smell, and testing showed elevated ammonia readings. Southern Water found no evidence of foul sewage entering the ditch and concluded:
“The contamination is from chemicals associated with site operations which is polluting the local and onward environment.”
The report says Newtown Creek may be the likely downstream receiving environment, although this has not been independently verified. Further drainage and water quality investigations have been recommended, alongside consideration of immediate containment measures.
Mr Cornford says members of staff have reported eye and skin irritation and breathing problems, which he attributes to exposure to chemical mist from the car wash.
He has said:
“I have been trying to sort this out amicably for months, but the owner of the car wash has done nothing to address the issues.
“Over the last few weeks my staff have reported serious eye and skin irritation and breathing problems.
“I will move the truck when it is confirmed that the water supply is safe or when it no longer has access to the water that I am paying for.”
An Isle of Wight Council Environmental Health Officer is said to have taken statements from staff working at the site.
An Environment Agency spokesperson has said:
“Where we identify breaches of environmental regulations or impacts to the environment, we will take appropriate enforcement action.”
