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City stares at water scarcity
Water contamination may hit the city this summer, in addition to possible scarcity as the water level in River Krishna dipped by four feet. While the water contamination is something to do with people fitting motor pumps to municipal taps in many areas, the water scarcity is associated with 33 per cent evaporation loss in reservoir which has already receded.
Vijayawada: Water contamination may hit the city this summer, in addition to possible scarcity as the water level in River Krishna dipped by four feet. While the water contamination is something to do with people fitting motor pumps to municipal taps in many areas, the water scarcity is associated with 33 per cent evaporation loss in reservoir which has already receded.According to official sources, the water level in reservoir is eight feet at present.
Highlights:
- Water level at the reservoir current stands at 8 feet
- Water contamination reported at different places
Though this level was just four feet same time last year, the clear water may not lost for long. Officials are optimistic that the monsoon may touch the State by June first week.They are also hopeful on groundwater which is available at 60 feet. They need one TMC ft of water for 12 lakh people in Vijayawada. Similar amount of water will be drawn for supply for Guntur city.On an average, a person needs 150 litres of water every day, as per official estimates.
If this calculation goes wrong in summer, the problem arises. On the other hand, if the water is drawn from low level of the reservoir, it contains dead things or bacteria. The dead things give colour to the water. It also has odour which is difficult to treat.
The other source of water getting contaminated is excessive use of motors fitted to pipelines to draw water from supply lines. When the users switch on motor, it sucks out entire air in the pipeline creating vacuum. Under the influence of vacuum, cement pipelines develop cracks while others cause leaks from where pollutants enter the pipeline. This is the biggest problem faced by officials who identify it through the complaints of muddy water supply in some areas, an official explained.
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has chalked out a summer action plan with Rs 3.5 crore. The summer may be spent on repairs to damaged boosters and pipelines, besides various other expenses involved in water supply. At present, the VMC has been supplying water twice for two hours each time under its jurisdiction. There are 2,976 public taps and 1,866 hand bores in the VMC territory. As many as 67 reservoirs at different places are supplying water to people according to a specific schedule.
While Head Water Works supplies 40 MGD (million gallons everyday), another 10 MGD is supplied by water treatment plant at Gangireddula Dibba (Gunadala). The wastage accounts for 10 per cent of the supply.An official at VMC said that they have been chalking out plans to mitigate water problem in slums and other localities.
