Last year, 63 people were convicted of offences related to illegal water use and were imposed fines ranging from $500 to $4,800, the Water Supplies Department says.

The department said of the 63 convicts, nine were fined in the range of $750 to $2,000 for taking water from fire service installations for washing purposes while 46were fined between $500 and $4,200 for taking unmetered water from the inside services or government sub-mains illegally.

The other eight were contractors who have been fined between $500 and $4,800 for illegally using water from the street hydrants and water mains for construction purposes in North Point, Sheung Wan, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long.

The department warned it is illegal to use water from fire service installations for non-fire fighting purposes or to take water through inside services not measured by a meter. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $5,000.