Sharjah cracks down on illegal power connections, digging of water wells

Sharjah - Violators caught during inspections will be given a grace period to fall in line.

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) has warned residents against illegal power connections that pose risks due to non-compliance of safety norms.  
Mohammed Abdullah, director of excellence department, SEWA, said that random electrical connections are dangerous for the residents. The danger increases due to high temperatures during the summer, he pointed out.
"Despite SEWA's continuous awareness programmes to educate people about these risks, some are found violating the rules and tampering with services. They fail to realise that improper connections can spark disaster."
He pointed out that SEWA, in coordination with Sharjah Civil Defence and the Safety and Prevention Authority, are striving to zero in on illegal connections in houses. A joint committee, that will start an inspection campaign to combat the practice, has been formed. The campaign will target industrial and residential areas, where many illegal residents were earlier found making illegal electric extensions and connections, which threaten the safety of people staying next to them, the SEWA official said. "Violators caught during inspections will be given a grace period to fall in line," he added.
Unauthorised digging of ground wells
SEWA has also started cracking down on unauthorised digging of ground wells in various regions of the emirate of Sharjah. The operation will target residents and owners of residential complexes who dig such water wells and leave them uncovered and exposed to pollution.
Some of the residents use the ground well water to avoid using the SEWA water connection and pay the water bills. Some dig them to make profit by selling the well water to other people, without informing them of their source.
He added that the digging of wells inside the residential premises for making money, without permission of SEWA, is considered tampering with natural water sources, which is certainly not acceptable.
Abdullah pointed out that the unauthorised wells dug by unlicenced people or companies - without the approval of the relevant parties - could produce salty and polluted water, which may expose the consumers to poisoning, as well as skin diseases when bathing. The SEWA grants approvals to applicants to dig wells if they meet the conditions related to water laws and regulations adopted by the authority, he underlined.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah