Chandigarh: The municipal corporation (MC) has launched a city-wide drive to curb water wastage during peak summer months, constituting 18 teams comprising over 50 engineering officials and staff. The drive began on April 10 and will continue till June 30. Notices have already been issued in this regard.As part of the exercise, engineering teams will conduct field checks in their respective areas during peak water supply hours, from 5.30am to 8.30am. During inspections, activities such as washing of vehicles and courtyards, watering of lawns, overflow from overhead or underground water tanks, leakages from water meter chambers and other forms of wastage will be treated as major violations. On detection, a penalty of Rs 5,788 will be imposed on violators and recovered through water bills.In addition to the monetary penalty, any material used in the violation, including booster pumps and hose pipes, will be confiscated. If a consumer is found repeating the violation even after the imposition of a fine, the MC will disconnect the water meter immediately. These actions are being carried out under the provisions of water supply bye-laws. If violators fail to pay the penalty, the amount will be added to their water bills.A detailed communication from the MC’s executive engineer of division number 3, who is the overall in charge of the drive, has been issued to all officials concerned. The letter states that inspections will be carried out by sub-divisional engineers (SDEs), junior engineers (JEs) and sub-division officers (SOs) of the MC, as per the duty roster attached with the order. The teams, comprising designated SDEs and JEs, have been assigned specific areas and instructed to take action strictly as per prescribed guidelines.The letter further authorises sub-divisional engineers to confiscate materials such as booster pumps and hose pipes found to be in use by defaulting consumers. The executive engineer will supervise the entire exercise.Sources in the MC said the drive has been planned to conserve potable water and ensure a smooth and equitable water supply for residents during the extreme summer season. They added that the civic body has made adequate preparations to ensure that water is supplied with proper pressure and flow across the city during the summer months.Subdivision-wise teams comprising sub-divisional engineers and junior engineers have been constituted for the exercise. These teams will submit daily reports to an officer of the executive engineer rank, who will then communicate the findings to senior officials on a regular basis.MC sources said misuse and wastage of water has multiple adverse effects. Apart from straining the city’s water supply system, improper disposal of water often leads to insanitary and unhygienic conditions in surrounding areas. Water overflow and leakages also damage roads, causing inconvenience to the general public.The civic body has urged residents to cooperate with the drive and avoid activities leading to wastage of water, particularly during peak supply hours.Common violations 1: Washing of vehicles and courtyards etc.2: Watering of lawns3: Wastage or misuse of water through any other reason 4: Overflow from overhead tanks, underground tanks 5: Leakages from water meter chambers.6: Leakages from desert cooler 7: Wastage of water due to non-installation of taps 8: Installation and use of booster pumps direct on water supply lineBox: Challans collected over the yearsYear | Challans issued | Amount (In Rs)2018 | 374 | 7.4L2019 | 111 | 3.1L2020 | 111 | 2.2L2021 | 266 | 13.3L2022 | 125 | 6.2L2023 | 29 | 1.4L2024 | 365 | 20.1L2025 | 122 | 5.4LMSID:: 130194141 413 |
