Wasting drinking water: Bengaluru families fined Rs 5,000 each

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) fined 22 families Rs 5,000 each for using precious drinking water for ‘non-essential purposes’, The News Minute reported.

The parched city is looking for ways to supplement its water sources when authorities have taken action against some families for having used drinking water for washing car and gardening.

They are charged with violating the water conservation directives issued by the board to tackle the severe water scarcity in the state.

‘Between Friday and today [Sunday], we have booked 22 cases and collected spot fines from people and given them receipts like traffic police do,’The Times of India quoted V Ram Prasath Manohar as saying.

Authorities warned that repeating the offence will attract an additional fine of Rs 500 a day and urged people to report anyone violating the ban.

After issuing restrictions on March 22, BWSSB official reportedly recorded 22 instances of violations in two days by March 22 and collected Rs 1.1 lakh in fine in total on spot alongside issuing receipts.

Most of the complaints against the offenders were reported through social media platforms, according to the report.

With water crisis deepening, the BWSSB banned activities that consume water such as cleaning vehicles, gardening, construction work, working water fountains, and other entertainment purposes.

However, authorities allowed drinking water at cinema halls and malls and using it in road construction and cleanliness.

As Holi festival is approaching, the authorities have asked residents not to use Cauvery and borewell water for pool parties and rain dances.