The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board on Tuesday warned that criminal action would be initiated against illegal tapping of drinking water from the distribution mains or overhead tanks.
The warning from TWAD Board Managing Director C.N. Mahesvaran came after teams of engineers launched a district-wide inspection to ensure equitable drinking water supply and reported illegal tapping.
The inspections were conducted following a direction from Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai and Transport Minister M.R.Vijayabhaskar for a comprehensive review of drinking water supply following complaints from residents during their recent tour of the district.
Around 85 engineers from the board, drawn from different parts of the State and split into 14 teams, began inspection in all eight panchayat unions of the district.
Of the 1,440 habitations supplied water by schemes maintained by TWAD Board, 500 were inspected. Around 134 “illegal connections” were detected and notice issued to the offenders, an official release said.
Mr. Mahesvaran said the 1,440 habitations were supplied water through 14 combined drinking water supply schemes. There were complaints of insufficient water supply to tail-end areas and the inspection was aimed at rectifying them.
“Illegal tapping of water by some persons has been found to be the reason for the water not reaching the tail-end areas. Criminal action will be taken against people resorting to tapping of water using motors and other illegal means,” Mr. Mahesvaran cautioned.
The teams would identify shortcomings and suggest measures to improve the water supply. Action would be taken based on the reports, he added.
He inspected the pumping station of a combined drinking water supply scheme on the Cauvery at Maravapalayam and other pumping stations and overhead tanks in the district.
Earlier, he held discussions with Mr.Vijayabhaskar and Collector T. Anbalagan.
