Team Herald
Pernem: After Morjim, the residents of Surbanwada’s ward No 9 in Pernem taluka have complained of irregular water supply from the Public Works Department. Locals allege that they have been facing water shortage issues for the past year. They said that they made several visits to the Pernem PWD’s water section office, but their taps continue to run dry, and their complaints have not been attended to.
Residents further said that they get regular water bills but no regular water supply. “We get water bills running into huge amounts, but no water. We made several visits to the local PWD office and presented our grievances but the issue is still unresolved. Even when we do get water supply, it only comes for around half an hour and at very low pressure, which is not even enough to complete household work, like cooking and cleaning,” said a resident.
Since many houses are located in an elevated area, the water does not reach them due to the low pressure, and as a result, they have to walk down the hill and fetch water from the well below, and carry it back uphill, over a distance of at least 500m.
The villagers said that if the government is charging them for water, the concerned authorities should at least provide water tankers to supply them with basic necessities.
