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CCNTV6
  • 2 years ago
Effective on Wednesday 6th of March, the use of hoses and similar apparatus will not be allowed. The Water and Sewerage Authority is also implementing revised water schedules nationwide, due to the effects of the harsh dry season, but WASA is advising residential customers against paying for truck-borne water, a practice it says is illegal and is currently being investigated. Rynessa Cutting has more.
Transcript
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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