XN000022-1977-06-22 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1977

PENALTIES FOR WASTAGE AND ILLEGAL USE OF WATER

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WITH ONLY A WEEK TO GO BEFORE A FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER TO IMPOSE FURTHER WATER RESTRICTIONS, THE P.W.D.'S WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A STRONG WARNING ON PENALTIES FOR WASTAGE AND ILLEGAL USE OF WATER.

IN A RENEWED APPEAL TO CONSUMERS THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER, MR. TOM TOMLINSON, SAID TODAY THAT FOR MOST PEOPLE THERE SHOULD BE LITTLE OR NO NEED TO STORE WATER DURING THE SHORT PERIOD OF NIGHT-TIME RESTRICTIONS.

+WHAT ESPECIALLY CONCERNS THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS THE FACT THAT IN MANY CASES THE WATER THAT'S STORED OVERNIGHT IN BATHS AND BUCKETS IS EMPTIED THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THE TAPS COME ON AGAIN, RESULTING IN CONSIDERABLE WASTAGE,+ SAID MR. TOMLINSON.

+ IF SOME CONSUMERS FIND IT NECESSARY TO STORE WATER THEY SHOULD RETA IN ONLY ENOUGH FOR OVERNIGHT OR EARLY MORNING NEEDS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR MOST CONSUMERS TO STORE WATER OVERNIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY KNOW VERY WELL THAT SUPPLIES WILL BE TURNED ON AGAIN EARLY IN THE MORNING.+

MR. TOMLINSON ALSO ISSUED A REMINDER ON PENALTIES FOR THE ILLEGAL USE OR WASTAGE OF WATER DURING THE PERIOD OF RESTRICTIONS. HE SAID, THE USE OF HOSES FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING THE WATERING OF PLANTS AND GARDENS AND WASHING CARS, IS STRICTLY ILLEGAL.

THE SAME BAN APPLIES TO THE HOS ING DOWN OF VERANDAHS, COURTYARD AREAS AND ANY OTHER PARTS OF PRECINCTS AND BUILDINGS.

+EVEN IN NORMAL TIMES THE USE OF HOSES IS ALLOWED ONLY WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE WATER AUTHORITY,+ HE SAID.

+WASTE WATER FROM SINKS, BATHS AND BASINS CAN BE USED TO WASH FLOORS AND CARS, AND EVEN TO WATER PLANTS - NORMAL DOMESTIC WATER WON'T HURT PLANTS AND FLOWERS.+

MR. TOMLINSON APPEALED TO CONSUMERS TO REPORT TO THE WATER AUTHORITY ANY CASE OF WATER WASTAGE OR ILLEGAL USE WHICH THEY MIGHT OBSERVE.

+WE REALISE THE RELUCTANCE OF SOME PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN COURT PROCEEDINGS MIGHT BE AN INHIBITING FACTOR, BUT THERE NEED BE NO WORRY IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID.

+ THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OPERATES A PROSECUTION UNIT TO INVESTIGATE AND BRING TO COURT ILLICIT WATER CONSUMERS AND WASTERS, AND THIS UNIT HANDLES THE ENTIRE CASE FROM THE PROVISION OF EVIDENCE ONWARDS.+

/+THERE WOULD