MAPUSA: Parts of Bardez taluka have been facing water shortage since the last five days due to some technical fault at the 50 MLD water treatment plant at Assonora.
Besides the 50 MLD plant, there are two more plants at Assonora — one with a 30-MLD capacity and the other 12 MLD. Since the 50 MLD plant cannot pump water, its load is being carried by the other two plants.
The water requirement of Bardez is 110 MLD, but currently they are receiving only 75-80 MLD. While most taps in Bardez have been running dry right from the eve of the Ganesh festival, some people do receive water, but for few hours.
Superintending Engineer Ulhas Kerkar informed Herald that this is the first time an incident like this has occurred wherein all the three pumps of the 50 MLD plant are out of order. Two pumps got damaged while the third one was given for maintenance. “The problem will be solved and total water supply will be restored by September 22,” he said.
“The two pumps are big and have been sent for repair – one to Ahmedabad and the other to Bangalore — while the third is at a workshop. The two pumps sent outstation will be brought back by September 21 night and we will be able to restore total water supply only the following day, while the one at the workshop will return by Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning we will be able to release an additional 20 MLD of water,” Kerkar said.
“The entire taluka of Bardez will be suffering due to this especially the places situated at a higher altitude and at tail end areas. An electrical fault damaged the two running pumps of the 50 MLD water treatment plant. These pumps run continuously for 24 hours. We have made arrangements for additional water tankers in the meantime to help the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Municipal Chairperson Ryan Braganza said that he has been receiving several calls from Mapusa residents over the water crisis.
“The PWD officials should find some solution at least up to Chaturthi. Currently, there is only one PWD water tanker operating here on a temporary basis; they should deploy more water tankers in Mapusa till the problem is solved. Mapusa requires 18 MLD of water of per day,” he said.
Councillor Rajsingh Rane informed that the Mapusa residents were facing severe water problem. “We are facing water problem for the last four days. Currently, there is only one tanker in Mapusa; so, it is difficult to reach all the points. The other issue with tanker water is that it cannot be stored on the third floor. The government should have made some alternative arrangements during festival time,” he said.
