The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation is set to enforce a law on conservation of water and energy from January 2010. In pursuance of the law, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation has already issued new guidelines for the installation of electrical equipment and water distribution gadgets in new buildings. The guidelines require builders to install specific energy saving gadgets in new buildings. Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation's officials will inspect these buildings before providing water and electricity connections. The law empowers Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation to modernize its infrastructure to bring down the loss of power and water and provide technical advice to builders and reduce power loss. The law mandates builders have to provide their buildings with thermal insulation, which can bring down energy consumption by 40 percent. Vehicle owners have to get their vehicles washed at commercial car wash centers instead of washing them at home, which is punishable under the law. Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation officials say the average outdoor hose uses 20 liters per minute of water while a car wash centers uses less water. Washing a car at home usually requires more than 100 liters of water while a commercial car wash averages about 70 liters. The law strictly warns against using drinking water for washing vehicles and gardening. It also demands switching off of outdoor lights from 7am to 4.30pm. The law also empowers Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation to impose a fine of not less than QR1,000 and not exceeding QR10,000 on erring consumers. The fine would be doubled if the violation is repeated within three years of the first penalty. Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation would suggest that builders install sensor-operated taps or self-closing taps. Sensor-operated taps can reduce water consumption by up to 60 percent as compared to traditional taps. The authority also believes that a huge amount of power can be saved through regular checks of air
