Team Herald
SANGUEM: Water supply to most parts of Mormugao taluka and some parts of Salcete taluka will be severely affected for the next two days on account of sudden burst in the 100 MLD water pipeline which supplies drinking water to Mormugao and some parts of Salcete taluka.
The pipeline burst at Xelpem ward of Uguem village at around 5 pm. Incidentally, this is the fifth to have occurred between the Selaulim Water Treatment Plant and Molcornem village during the last few months.
Executive Engineer Shrikant Gaonkar informed that the pipeline burst due to sudden pressure in the 100 MLD water pipeline which caused due to power fluctuation in the area. Gaonkar informed that whenever there is a power failure in the area, the water pumping to the pipeline stops and this leads to the ‘back surge’ of water from the pipeline. Once the pumping operation is restarted, the water pressure in the pipeline increase due to the reverse water flow from the other end of the water tank which exists at Sirvoi leading to burst in the pipeline at weak joints or wherever there is minor leakage.
Gaonkar informed that the water from the water pipeline is supplied to major parts of Mormugao taluka and to some parts of Salcete taluka and the water supply to these areas will be affected at least till Saturday evening.
Gaonkar further informed that the draining operation of the left water in the water pipeline is presently is ongoing and that the welding work of the broken joints will be completed by Friday noon. The regular water supply to the affected areas will be restored by Friday evening, informed Gaonkar.
“Given the frequent incidences of the 100 MLD water pipeline, the department as a remedial measure has procured zero velocity valves to control the reverse flow of water from the pipeline whenever the incidences of the pipeline burst occurs,” Gaonkar claimed.
The department was in the process of planning the fitting of the zero velocity valves after taking a shut down. However, before the valves could be installed, the pipeline burst, Gaonkar said and assured that the zero velocity valves would be fitted to the pipeline in the next fifteen to twenty days.
Water from the 100 MLD water pipeline is first stored at the specially built tank at Sirvoi near Molcornem before the water is supplied to the main tank at Verna from where the water is finally supplied to Mormugao taluka and other areas in Salcete.
