PANJIM: Contrary to the claims of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that Goa has achieved 100 per cent tap water connections, the State appears to be heading for a “water crisis” as various parts have already started experiencing water scarcity during the summer season while the situation in the Mhaisal Dam has turned critical with water levels dropping drastically.
The residents of Chicalim, parts of Pernem taluka and Porvorim have complained of taps running dry for almost two weeks. The locals residing in Mormugao taluka are at the receiving end as they have complained of either receiving irregular water supply or at low pressure, while those residing in Pernem taluka have been complaining of erratic water supply for days together.
Last month, Porvorim residents faced water scarcity for over 15 days following a breakdown in the water pipeline. With no unseasonal rainfall in the last eight months, the situation has aggravated as the demand for water has been growing.
PWD Chief Engineer Santosh Mhapne said that there is no drop in the water levels at various treatment plants and the overall situation is similar. Related report on Pg 3
He said that the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been providing raw water to the PWD except at Mhaisal Dam where the situation has turned critical.
Referring to the water shortage in some parts of Pernem taluka, he said that it could be due to an increase in the number of dwelling units and cases of locals renting out their premises which has increased the demand for water.
“We have the Chandel Water Treatment Plant providing 15 MLD of water while the work of commissioning another 15 MLD plant is underway. The work was delayed due to land acquisition proceedings, which has now been resolved and once we lay a rising main, we would be able to commission the additional 15 MLD, which will cater to the needs of consumers of the entire Pernem taluka,” Mhapne said.
When contacted, WRD Chief Engineer Pramod Badami admitted that the situation at Mhaisal Dam has turned critical as it has water which will last only for one or two days and alternate arrangements are being made. One of the reasons for the drop in water levels in the Mhaisal Dam could be due to overdrawing of water, he attributed.
However, a meeting has been convened by WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar in his constituency on Monday in a bid to tide over the crisis.
It is pertinent to note that Mhaisal Dam is a small dam having capacity of 10 MLD which caters to the water needs of Panchawadi in Shiroda constituency.
Badami claimed that water level in all other dams is adequate to meet the consumer requirements for the next one month.
There is no water shortage in River Khandepar as the WRD has undertaken the augmentation of rivers.
He said that 70 MLD of water from Ganjem, 30 MLD from Salaulim and another 30 MLD of water is pumped out from six mining pits and released into the River Khandepar.
Badami said that after the monsoon withdrew, the State had an eight-month dry spell since September last year, unlike in the past when Goa received unseasonal rains.
“We have adequate raw water and there could be a distribution network issue by the PWD,” Badami said.
“Water in Selaulim and Anjunem dams will suffice for the next 20-30 days while water in Amthane Dam will be sufficient for the next 40-45 days,” he said.
He further said that the water received from the Tillari Irrigation Dam will be sufficient for the next two months.
Chicalim Panchayat member Francisco Nunes said that for the first time they experienced water shortage in Chicalim and other parts of Mormugao taluka. It was almost for 10 days that taps ran dry and people were forced to hire private tankers as PWD has only one tanker for the entire taluka and hence it could not meet the consumers’ demand.
Nunes demanded that the government should upgrade the existing infrastructure and construct additional water storage tanks in view of the ever-increasing population.
Arambol Panchayat Member Rajani Ibrampurkar complained that they have not been receiving water for the last many days and demanded that the PWD should ensure that either water is provided at least two hours per day or on alternate days so that people can store water.
There is not a single drop of water in taps for almost one month but the PWD is prompt in issuing water bills, she complained.