Southern Region Water Board says it is losing over half a billion to illegal water connections annually.

Public Relations Officer for the board Rita Makwangwala made the revelation on Tuesday when the board embarked on an illegal connection exposure exercise in Zomba district.

Makwangwala stated that the money lost to illegal connections could be used to connect new customers and improve the boards operations.

“We will be going door to door to verify our meters and if we find a with an illegal connection we will uproot it and fine the customer,” Makwangwala said.

The water works act of 1995 restrains customers from illegal water connections.

She has since urged its customers to desist from this malpractice and report any suspicious water connections.

Makwangwala also stated that the exercise will be done for the rest of the 2022/2023 financial year.