Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: Someshwar town municipality has informed the people that people found wasting water would be penalised.

This year, because of increased heat, some areas have begun to encounter water shortage. As the situation can turn grim in the coming months, the municipality has said that if it is found that water is being wasted, the tap water connection of the houses concerned would be permanently cut off and they will be fined between Rs 500 and 5,000. This warning was issued by administrative officer Madan Mohan, and chief officer Vani V Alva.

Someshwar town municipality office (file photo)

Someshwar, which used to be the largest village in the state, has become municipality now. It is located very near to the sea and hence has been the victim of sea erosion. However, this has not relieved the people of their water woes. The municipality has a population of around 25,000. Even though the area has seven open government wells, 27 borewells, and 21 minor irrigation plans, water shortage is a regular phenomenon. As many as 2,500 families here are entirely dependent on water supplied by the municipality.

People of Uchila and Bettampady use water from open well and hence they have not got water connection. Now they are getting saline water in the wells while the water at Katungere Gudde is drying up.

Even though people say they need water for drinking and cooking, many use tap water to water their plants and wash vehicles. The municipality has warned that water should not be used for other purposes. Chief officer of the municipality, Vani V Alva, said that precautionary measures have been undertaken and that wherever found necessary, water with the help of water tankers would be supplied. She said that the decision to penalise erring people was taken in view of the fact that people waste water even when water is scarce during summer months.