A water crisis is affecting several villages in Sattari taluka after a key pipeline of the Dabos Water Project was accidentally damaged during underground power cable work in Valpoi town. The damage, caused by heavy machinery, led to a major leak and disrupted the water supply.
According to the PWD, repairs began on Thursday night and continued through Friday. While the work was expected to be completed by Friday night, full restoration of the water supply is likely to take until Saturday noon, leaving affected villages without access to piped water for at least two days.
To manage the crisis, water was distributed via tankers. However, the number of tankers was insufficient, and not all residents received water, leading to frustration among villagers who were forced to search for alternative sources.
This incident has not only disrupted daily life but also shown how infrastructure projects, when not carefully managed, can impact essential services like water supply, especially in rural areas.
It’s quite interesting that, despite being rich in natural waterfalls and receiving ample rainfall, Sattari taluka suffers from water shortages. This is primarily because most villages rely on a centralised piped water supply from the Dabos Water Treatment Plant rather than utilising local water sources directly. When the main pipeline is damaged or the plant undergoes maintenance, as recently occurred, water distribution is disrupted, leaving residents without an adequate supply.