Venezuela to fine 'execessive' water consumption

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CARACAS, Venezuela

Venezuelan officials announced Thursday they will battle the effects of a severe drought by sharply increasing rates for people who use too much water.

Cristobal Ortiz, president of the state-run Hidroven water utility, said that Venezuelans who consume more than 10,567 gallons (40,000 liters) of water per month will be charged more than three times the normal rate.

The drought has caused water levels to drop to critical lows behind the Guri Dam, which supplies roughly 70 percent of Venezuela's electricity, and prompted President Hugo Chavez to declare an energy emergency.

Chavez announced last week that the government will impose penalties on companies, including 24- and 48-hour electricity suspensions, that fail to cut electricity consumption by 20 percent. Residential users can face surcharges of up to 100 percent if they increase power use.

Businesses have complained that will slash their productivity.

Ortiz said that Venezuelan families normally pay 1 bolivar -- the equivalent of about 23 cents -- for each cubic meter of water they consume. Under the plan that takes effect next month, households that pass the monthly 40,000 liter threshold will be required to pay 3.5 bolivars -- about 80 cents -- for each cubic meter, he said.

"It's aimed at bringing about rational water consumption," Ortiz told the state-run ABN news agency.

The average Venezuelan family consumes roughly 9,900 gallons (37,500 liters) each month, he said.