00:00 A nominal fine and the confiscation of your water hose.
00:05 That's what's on the line should you be caught using a hose.
00:08 As of Wednesday, March 6th.
00:10 The patrols would be police, WASA's police and S.T. police, yes, and they would be in
00:17 uniform and they could confiscate your hose based on the law.
00:23 Similar apparatus such as power washers, sprinklers and water fountains are also restricted until
00:29 June 30th and car wash service providers are not excluded.
00:33 They can wash vehicles without a hose at a car wash.
00:38 So during this time where you have persons being so severely impacted, we are asking
00:46 them not to use the hoses.
00:48 They can find other mechanisms to wash cars.
00:52 But the authority says exemptions can be made on a case by case basis.
00:57 Customers or persons with legitimate reasons to use these devices, the pressure washers
01:03 and so on, they can request an exemption from the water use restriction.
01:09 We have that form on our website.
01:12 At this time, the fine for violating the restrictions is a mere $75.
01:17 But the authority is working towards a harsher penalty.
01:20 A significantly higher fine that persons would really, it would act as a deterrent for persons.
01:29 So we are pushing forward to try to get that approved.
01:33 It's already approved by the authorities but it's in the legislative process.
01:38 The restrictions come as the country's water sources have taken a hit, even before the
01:43 height of the dry season, with an approximate 18 million gallon deficit per day.
01:49 That, compared to the last couple of years, hence the reason why we are taking action
01:56 as we speak.
01:58 And weather conditions are only forecast to get worse.
02:02 For the first three months, January to March 2024, we experience little rainfall.
02:12 It is expected as the dry season progresses in March, conditions will become drier.
02:18 As a result, revised water schedules are being implemented across the board.
02:22 But WASA is giving the following assurance.
02:25 The areas that are hard hit at this point in time, particularly areas to the extremity
02:30 of the system and are higher elevated, we do not want to exacerbate that situation more.
02:37 We would want to maintain the minimum in terms of the schedule.
02:43 We expect some reduction in the supply for areas that are above 24/4.
02:54 Supply of four days per week and up.
02:59 Customers are advised to check the authorities' social media platforms and website for a full
03:04 listing in the interim.
03:06 The authority says it will be increasing its truckborne delivery service and it's advising
03:11 residential customers not to pay any individual or entity for such a service.
03:17 The authority is aware and the authority is currently investigating a lot of instances
03:24 and we are making considerable headway.
03:26 If it is that WASA workers are found culpable, the necessary actions will be taken.
03:34 What we have found so far is that people illegally tap into our system and fill their trucks
03:42 and supply so they actually get the water for free and they sell customers.
03:48 Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
03:50 For more information, visit www.fema.gov.
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