Hawkers are illegally tapping water at Taman Eastern in Jalan Ipoh here, according to a resident,
The resident, who wanted to be known only as Jameela, 57, claimed that stalls sourced water using pipe extensions that were connected to pipes near water meters at shoplots in the area.
“These hawkers set up makeshift stalls and abandon them, leaving the spots to be taken over by someone else.
“But, what is evident is that the water that comes out of their taps is sourced from elsewhere,” Jameela said, urging Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd to look into the matter.
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Pengurusan Air Selangor corporate communications head Amin Lin Abdullah said the illegal tapping of water could be detected at a stall as it would not have a water meter installed.
“If the stall owner has installed a connecting pipe from the pipe leading from a house or shop, it’s illegal tapping on condition that the connecting pipe is placed before the water meter at the said premises.
“However, if the water is tapped after the water meter, the stall owner would likely have asked permission from the house or shop owner, and would likely be paying the house or shop owner for the use of water,” he said in a statement.
“If the illegal connection is found before the water meter, we will issue a notice to the consumer to claim damages for the unauthorised use of water supply. The claim will be calculated based on the number of days they have been stealing water and the water tariff of the premises.”
He said water theft came under the jurisdiction of the National Water Services Commission.
If convicted, those who steal water can be charged under Section 123(1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
The public can call SPAN call-centre at 15300 or visit the nearest district office to report illegal tapping.