Use water wisely or lose connection

Panvel Municipal Council appoints mobile squads to check for wastage of water; violators will first get notice

If you waste a lot of water every day, you may lose your water supply. At a time when the state is reeling under water crisis, the Panvel Municipal Council ( PMC) has decided to come down heavily on those who waste water.

The water department of PMC has appointed mobile squads to check for water wastage. Those found guilty will find their supply disconnected.

The water department has appealed to housing societies and residents to curb wastage of water in their respective areas.

“Despite regular notices and warnings, if people do not take the requisite measures, we will stop their water supply to prevent wastage,” said an official,on condition of anonymity.

“The water department has set up special squads for the pur- pose. Apart from ensuring proper water supply in the region, the squad will also lookout for leakages and water wastage,” said a PMC official.

He said, “Those found guilty of wasting water will first be given warning and notice. If the wastage continues, the administration will not hesitate in disconnecting the water supply.”

The PMC has already stipulat- ed water rates on the basis of the size of water connections. The bills are collected accordingly.

In Panvel, consumers pay a fixed amount and then use as much water as they want. Several business entities pay domestic rates and use water for commercial purposes. There is no clarity on how much water is used after being sourced from Dehrang Dam, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran ( MJP) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation or what the actual requirement of the city is.

Since there is no proper water audit, the PMC spends crores on water supply.

Now, there is a proposal to supply water in Panvel through water metres. However, since the PMC’s finances are dipping, the proposal has been delayed.

“Currently, the water stock in the dam is low owing to inadequate rainfall last year. MJP has reduced its water supply. There is a possibility of a further cut in summer,” said the PMC official.