DHARWAD: Even as the government is speaking of supplying
Malaprabha water to all villages of
Dharwad district, many of them in Dharwad taluk, which are nearer to Malaprabha reservoir, are facing the problem of irregular water supply.
People from villages coming under
Uppinabetageri GP in the taluk staged a demonstration on Monday in front of the DC’s office, demanding regular water supply. As part of the protest demonstration, women marched to the DC’s office carrying empty pots on their heads.
The villagers said that three villages, coming under
Uppinbetageri GP with a population of 20,000, need 9 lakh litres per day. However, only 4 lakh litres of water (less than 50% of the requirement) is being supplied, they rued.
Because of the erratic schedule of the water supply, the villagers are forced to store water for 15 days.
“As the water is supplied through pipes which were laid three decades ago, the water is leaking at several points and also getting contaminated. By consuming this water, people are falling sick,” said a villager.
“There are examples of worms being found in water, and this has led to rise in water-borne diseases. Doctors have been advising people to drink clean and pure water, but the villagers are unable to get it,” he rued.
Even after bringing the issue to the notice of the local
MLA and higher officials, no measures have been taken for regular supply of water, they alleged. They also urged the administration and take measures to install new water pipelines.