State Act

The Kerala Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1986

(40) Provision of public hydrants.-(1) The Authority shall, subject to the payment by a local body, of such charges as the Authority may determine provide supply of wholesome water to the public through the public hydrants within its local area (2) The Authority may, at the request of the local body and shall, if Government so directs, subject to payment of such contribution towards its cost in such manner as may be prescribed, provide and maintain within the local area public hydrants together with all incidental works for the supply of water at such places as may be considered necessary by the local body. (3) The local body shall pay to the Authority quarterly such sum as may be fixed by the Authority, towards the cost of water supplied by it through the public hydrants within its local area on the basis of expected consumption of water and in accordance with such principle as may be prescribed. 1[(4) For schemes operated by the Authority, necessary tariff for street taps may be collected from the local bodies at the rate fixed by the Government. Government may deduct the tariffs from grants due to the local bodies. Where any doubt or dispute arises between the local body and the Authority in regard to the assessment of the tariff such doubt or dispute shall be referred to an appellate authority prescribed by the Government and its decision thereon shall be final] 2[(5) The water from any public hydrant shall not be used for any non domestic purpose. (6) No external instruments or pipes or hose or other devices shall be connected to public hydrants for taping water. (7) No cleaning or washing of any animal, vehicle, cloth, utensils or any other materials shall be done under or near any public hydrants.] (8) Where any doubt or dispute between any local body and the Authority arises in regard to any matter mentioned in sub-section (1) to (3)such doubt or dispute shall be referred to the Government whose decision thereon shall be final and binding on the Authority and local body concerned.