Thiruvananthapuram: Government approval will be required for digging wells, according to the draft water policy released recently, which seeks to curb illegal groundwater exploitation.

The policy notes that the government currently lack data on the number, depth and design of existing wells. It recommends government intervention to prevent unscientific well construction and misuse.

The policy also proposes checking the functionality of rainwater harvesting tanks during building tax collection. The idea of having two separate tanks in homes, one for drinking and another for other purposes, will also be considered.

Industries that consume excessive water will be restricted in drought-prone and water-scarce areas. Controls will also be applied to borewells.

The draft policy proposes :

  • A variable water tariff system, where charges increase based on the volume of water consumed.
  • Higher tariffs will apply to users consuming more treated/purified water, encouraging responsible usage.
  • Non-domestic consumers must obtain government approval before accessing or tapping any new water sources.