Crackdown on illegal water taps

 THE Water PNG branch in Mt Hagen started a mass disconnection exercise yesterday in the city and rural areas that have water supply.

Parts of New Town and rural communities living the city boundary were affected.

Disconnections started at New Town and will reach Baisu jail in Mt Hagen.

Samuel Moro, team leader in the disconnection exercise, told The National that Water PNG went on a loss of more than K300,000 in a month through illegal connections.

He said that 30 per cent of the water was siphoned off through illegal connections and burst pipes. 

Moro said illegal connections in Mt Hagen city was a major concern and Water PNG would take a bold stand to deal with people concerned. He said the Mt Hagen police task force was engaged in the disconnections and anyone who intended to interfere would be arrested.

Moro said spot fines were K2000 for an illegal connection by regular users and business houses faced a K5000 fine.

He said the consumption rate per household was K20 a month.