Family fined $2,700 under new Qatar water law

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.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM