Water Tax due: Building sealed in Valasaravakkam

CHENNAI: Fed up with a building owner, who refused to pay water tax and charges, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) sealed the building in Valasaravakkam, on Monday.

A Metrowater official said that the building is located in Sai Nagar on Arcot Road. "The building owner has a tax default of Rs. 1.85 lakh and he has not paid since 2015. Despite several notices being given to the owner, the concerned person refused to pay. Following this, the building has been sealed," the official added.

The official warned the building owners of similar action if they fail to pay the water and sewerage taxes. Water and sewerage taxes are being calculated based on the property tax collected by the Chennai Corporation. As per the rules, water and sewerage tax is seven per cent of the property tax.

Meanwhile, the water manager is sending messages to the consumers explaining the new water tax as the Chennai Corporation has revised the property tax.

On the other hand, the Metrowater assured continuous supply of drinking water to the city as lakes supplying water have a combined supply of 8,566 Mcft. "During monsoon, the lakes will brim and measures have been taken to receive Krishna River water from January," a release said.