LAHORE - The four private companies hired by Wasa have traced 5,000 illegal water connections during their 15-day survey in six towns falling in the jurisdiction of the agency. Wasa had inked a contract with these companies in September to unearth the illegal water connections to financial loss to the national kitty. According to an estimate of Wasa authorities there are around 30,000 illegal water connections in the City. If private companies succeed to hit the mark, Wasa can generate Rs 100 million revenue which can help reduce its increasing budget deficit. It may be recalled that Wasa had detected 45,000 illegal water connections in 2001 and had collected Rs 130 million from defaulters. As per data available to The Nation, Wasa has around 550,000 legal water connections out of which 20 per cent are metered connections. Sources in Wasa revealed that the companies have submitted their reports regarding detection of 5,000 illegal water connections to the Wasa, which has forwarded them to the concerned revenue department. After the Wasa deputy directors (revenue) verify the reports, defaulters will be sent one year water bills as a penalty. Those who will not pay the bill, their water connection will be severed or their property will be confiscated, sources disclosed. The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) had contracted four survey companies to detect illegal water connections to avoid further financial loss. The authority concerned signed an agreement with survey companies - Pearl, Assets, ECC and CAP -. The Pearl was assigned to cover Nishtar Town and the Assets to deal with Data Gunj Bukhsh Town and Iqbal Town, while the ECC and the CAP were tasked to cover Ravi Town, Aziz Bhatti Town and Shalimar Town. Under the agreement, the companies are bound to conduct door-to-door survey to point out illegal water connections. Each contractor will be paid Rs 270 to Rs 290 as service charges on detection of each unauthorised connection. Those found defaulters will have to pay bill of one year as penalty to the Wasa. More than 30 per cent illegal water connections in six towns fall in the jurisdiction of Wasa. After the survey, illegal water connections will be regularised leading to revenue generation to the agency. According to the agreement, period of contract will be two months that will be extended on satisfactory completion of the contract subject to the approval of authority concerned. The contractors will use such methods for detection of illegal water connections, which are morally and legally acceptable. They will maintain close liaison with concerned deputy director revenue of the town regarding the pace of work. Neither the contractor nor its employees are allowed to get monitory benefit from any unauthorised user of the water connection. In case of incidental charges, if any, will be born by the contractor concerned. Without prior permission from Wasa, the company will not be allowed to sublet, in any manner, any part of the job of door-to-door survey. Wasa has right to order inquiry on receipt of such complaint. The contractor will maintain fully equipped office at a control place in the assigned town in order to facilitate Wasa staff to deal with the contractor as and when so required. The contractor will have trained staff fully conversant with the assignment including a thorough working knowledge of geographical area of Lahore. The contractor will issue identity cards to its staff for display on the front pocket of their dress during assigned duty hours. The survey company will employ staff having good moral standards and integrity and having no criminal background and will keep Wasa indemnified against any losses, damages and claims arising out of the act of the contractor. Wasa reserves the right to cancel the contract at any time without assigning any reason, in case the contractor fails to perform any of its obligations as set forth in this contract by giving one months notice in writing to the contractor. The contactor will submit its bill before 10th of every month to the director revenue in duplicate dully supported with relevant proforma, duly completed and verified by the DDR or Billing Incharge.