HUBBALLI: Buckling under pressure from the public, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (Water Board), Hubballi, has finally chalked out a comprehensive plan for the smooth supply of drinking water in Hubballi city, from the Malaprabha reservoir.
As per its new plan, it has divided the city into two zones-West and East. Each zone will get water directly from the Malaprabha reservoir on rotation. This method has been introduced as a pilot project. If it gives the desired result, then it will be enforced on a permanent basis. Speaking to TOI, S Kariyappa, assistant executive engineer, Water Board, said a portion of Hubballi city, mainly Old Hubballi and Gokul areas, were earlier drawing drinking water from the Neerasagar reservoir. He said the water level in Neerasagar came down to the zero level, due to inadequate rain in the catchment areas in the past two years. "Decline in the water level in Neerasagar, has forced us to depend more on the Malaprabha reservoir to supply water to these areas,"he said.
"As we are supplying water judiciously to Hubbali city from the Malaprabha reservoir, many people of Old Hubballi, Gokul and other areas in the west of the city, complained that water pressure is very low, and they could not get enough water, though we supply it once in 6-7 days," he said. "We were supplying water to all areas in the city at the time, which has resulted in low pressure of water in certain parts, mainly in the west, including in Old Hubballi and surrounding areas," he said.
"There is a need of 130 MLD of water to meet the daily requirements of people in city every day, but now we are drawing 85 MLD of water from the Malaprabha daily. We used to draw at least 45 MLD water from Neerasagar when it was full. Now, we are managing with 85 MLD of water daily," said Kariyappa. "Keeping in mind the possibility of a water crisisin the days to come due to the summer season and power cuts, we have hit upon the idea of dividing the city into two zones-East and West-to avoid complaints like low pressure and inadequate supply of water, within the available quantity of water. Old Hubballi, Gokul, Tarihal village, Hosur and surrounding areas come under the West zone, while areas in the city like Unkal, Tabibland, Lingaranagar, and other areas in the city come under the East zone. Now, water will be supplied in rotation, to each zone. We supply water every 3-4 days to each zone. We have started supplying water under this zone system from Thursday. This is on a pilot basis, and we will assess the situation and study the results. If this method gives the desired results, then, it will be implemented permanently," he added.
15 TMC water in Malaprabha reservoir
Now, 15 TMC water is available in the Malaprabha reservoir, which is said to be enough to tackle the drinking water problem, till the arrival of the next monsoon. However, Neerasagar, which has dried up completely, can store water up to 1 TMC.
As per its new plan, it has divided the city into two zones-West and East. Each zone will get water directly from the Malaprabha reservoir on rotation. This method has been introduced as a pilot project. If it gives the desired result, then it will be enforced on a permanent basis. Speaking to TOI, S Kariyappa, assistant executive engineer, Water Board, said a portion of Hubballi city, mainly Old Hubballi and Gokul areas, were earlier drawing drinking water from the Neerasagar reservoir. He said the water level in Neerasagar came down to the zero level, due to inadequate rain in the catchment areas in the past two years. "Decline in the water level in Neerasagar, has forced us to depend more on the Malaprabha reservoir to supply water to these areas,"he said.
"As we are supplying water judiciously to Hubbali city from the Malaprabha reservoir, many people of Old Hubballi, Gokul and other areas in the west of the city, complained that water pressure is very low, and they could not get enough water, though we supply it once in 6-7 days," he said. "We were supplying water to all areas in the city at the time, which has resulted in low pressure of water in certain parts, mainly in the west, including in Old Hubballi and surrounding areas," he said.
"There is a need of 130 MLD of water to meet the daily requirements of people in city every day, but now we are drawing 85 MLD of water from the Malaprabha daily. We used to draw at least 45 MLD water from Neerasagar when it was full. Now, we are managing with 85 MLD of water daily," said Kariyappa. "Keeping in mind the possibility of a water crisisin the days to come due to the summer season and power cuts, we have hit upon the idea of dividing the city into two zones-East and West-to avoid complaints like low pressure and inadequate supply of water, within the available quantity of water. Old Hubballi, Gokul, Tarihal village, Hosur and surrounding areas come under the West zone, while areas in the city like Unkal, Tabibland, Lingaranagar, and other areas in the city come under the East zone. Now, water will be supplied in rotation, to each zone. We supply water every 3-4 days to each zone. We have started supplying water under this zone system from Thursday. This is on a pilot basis, and we will assess the situation and study the results. If this method gives the desired results, then, it will be implemented permanently," he added.
15 TMC water in Malaprabha reservoir
Now, 15 TMC water is available in the Malaprabha reservoir, which is said to be enough to tackle the drinking water problem, till the arrival of the next monsoon. However, Neerasagar, which has dried up completely, can store water up to 1 TMC.
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