A Toms River car wash was forced to close Tuesday after a road construction project left the business without water.

The Schuster family owns Schuster’s Car Wash on Route 166 in Toms River. The owners say that when they opened the business for the day, they realized that their water was turned off.  They say that it is the result of an error related to the ongoing construction on Route 166 in the area.

A spokesperson for contractor J. Fletcher Creamer tells News 12 New Jersey that after following the lead of Suez Water, the car wash’s waterline was inadvertently disconnected.

The Schusters say that the loss of business comes at a time when they really can’t afford it.

“We had 32 days of rain in the first quarter of this year, so losing 32 days, then losing a sunny day and then tomorrow is supposed to be a total washout with the rain that’s coming,” says co-owner Larry Schuster.

“We can’t make it up,” says Amy Schuster. “People aren’t going to come wash their car twice tomorrow so it’s done. A total loss.” 

The Schusters even had to send their employees home for the day.

“They are hardworking guys and ladies and we hate to send them home. But we have nothing for them to do if we aren’t washing cars,” Amy Schuster says.

The owners say that water service was restored Tuesday evening and that the car wash will reopen Wednesday. They say that they are hoping to be reimbursed for the loss of business.