Crackdown on water theft

With severe drinking water scarcity in parts of Ernakulam, the anti-theft squad of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has been cracking the whip on illegal connections, misuse and theft.

Between February 1 and February 15, the squad detected 29 cases and imposed a total amount of ₹5,43,743 as fine. A single desperate consumer near Angamaly was fined a whopping ₹2,33,000. In a rare instance, the individual had drawn water from an air valve attached to the distribution network and extended the pipeline for irrigating his agricultural land nearby, said Ajish V.C., assistant executive engineer in-charge of the anti-theft squad. Having destroyed the air valve, the enterprising farmer had been consuming water this way for nearly a year, according to local residents, and was fined with rates fixed for commercial purposes taking an average consumption of 15,000 litres per day, with extra charges for replacing the defunct air valve.