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Discuss this article (2 Comments)Family fined $2,700 under new Qatar water law
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Monday, 10 November 2008
Fines have started to be imposed following the introduction of a new law in Qatar aimed at stopping people from wasting water and electricity.
A family living in the Old Airport area of Doha has been handed a 10,000-riyal ($2,700) penalty after inspectors found water flowing from their home onto the street, officials have revealed.
The new law (No. 28) prescribes fines ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 riyals for wasting water and electricity, Qatar daily The Peninsula reported on Monday.
Washing cars with this water and leaving taps on are among violations that are punishable under the new regulations.
Consumers in Qatar will now be misusing or wasting water at their own peril as the authorities are strictly enforcing the law, which makes the misuse of water punishable.
Many nationals, according to community sources, are now getting their vehicles washed at carwash centres.
People who leave outdoor lights on in their houses at night are also to come under the new law and face penalties, but so far utility distributors have not taken any action against those wasting electricity.
READERS' COMMENTS
Posted by landobserver, London, UK on Monday 10 November 2008 at 18:13 UAE time
Most of the time it is not the locals inhabitants who are actually wetting the sand, washing down the roads, etc but their household staff! The householders should make their staff aware of the waste caused by their activities with hose pipes outside. If Nationals were billed for their consumption as well I am sure that the practice would soon stop (especially if were deducted from their already pitiful wages!). Also make it mandatory for automatic watering systems to only activate after sunset to prevent excess evaporation and further waste. It maybe possible to to cut the amount of water used on plants and grass if this is the case!
Posted by Rainigade, Dubai, UAE on Monday 10 November 2008 at 11:43 UAE time
This is a wonderful move and should be adapted in other GCC countries too, namely the UAE.
With the new DEWA pricing plan based on consumption, it is really important that everyone - and yes, that includes locals, be made aware that resources such as water and electricity are limited and need to be used with prudence.
Seeing the inhabitants of villas washing the pavements outside their house, wetting the sand around the house, washing their cars with huge amounts of water really makes it difficult for others who have to pay more or are cautious with consumption.
This is a great move indeed!! Governments need to dish out some tough love!
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