Nursery caught illegally tapping water

PETALING JAYA: A landscape and nursery business in Tropicana Selatan was caught illegally tapping water today.
Officers from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) found unregistered water meters inside a koi fish structure, believed to be used as a base to tap water illegally.
They also found a pump used to provide water to a pond.
According to Syabas corporate communications and public affairs assistant general manager Priscilla Alfred Dharan, the water concessionaire has lost 6,800 cu m of water costing around RM40,000.
From Jan 1 to April 22, Syabas recorded a total of 1,056 complaints of water theft or illegal extensions to supply water. From this number, Syabas has taken action on 73 cases.
"Especially during this time when we are undergoing water shortage, this irresponsible act will only make the situation worse," said Priscilla.
Illegal extensions from service pipes or main water pathways is an offence under the provisions of Section 123 (1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) and if found guilty, offenders can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than a year, or both.