Mexico’s federal district (DF) government loses 460mn pesos (US$36.5mn) each year from illegal potable water usage, according to the director of DF water utility SACM [Sistema de Aguas de la Ciudad de México], Ramon Aguirre Diaz.
The amount represents some 10% of the water consumed in the city each year, Aguirre told paper El Universal.
Throughout 2010, the DF government will offer an amnesty and make an appeal for illegal users to come forward and pay the utility what they owe, said Aguirre.
However, in 2011, the city will begin a program to detect illegal intakes from the municipal system. Those caught will be fined an amount equal to five years of water bills, Aguirre added.
Source: BNamericas.com [subscription site], 17 Aug 2010
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