PERNEM: The rising water scarcity in Goa especially along the Pernem coastal belt has made life miserable for the common man.
Pernem taluka is home to four major beaches — Morjim, Mandrem, Arambol and Keri — where people have been facing water shortage since last three months.
With other water sources either disappearing or drying up, people in the Pernem coastal belt are increasingly dependent on the tap water supplied by the Water Resources department. While the water supply capacity hasn’t improved, more and more tap connections are released impacting the existing consumers.
Presently, water is being supplied to different parts of Mandrem coastal belt through tankers since tap water hardly reaches the households. And even the tankers supply water once in a week, forcing the residents to store water for a week or more till the tanker returns to supply them water.
People complain that due to irregular water supply, they have been facing difficulties in carrying out their routine household works.
Pernem taluk is allotted only 15 MLD of water supply. However, its requirement is far higher due to population growth and tourist influx.
Rupesh Naik, a local, said, “Since last 2 to 3 months we are complaining about water issue in our village. Several times we raised the issue before the authorities. But they are least bothered about this. There is no fixed time for supply of water. Sometimes we receive water on alternate days sometimes after four or five days.”
Rupa Salgaonkar, another local, said, “We want proper water supply; if not through taps, then at least through tankers. It’s getting difficult to manage with household work especially now as it is very hot and consumption of water is high.”
