MAPUSA: Mapusa is in the grips of drinking water shortage but for a change it appears to be man made and not due to scarcity of resources.
Signs of water stress seem to be spreading in Mapusa with several parts of the city facing shortage of drinking water.
Some parts of Khorlim, Ansabhat, Feria Alta, Carraswaddo, Gaunsavadda and other areas are either getting erratic supply or the water pressure is very low.
Inquiries have revealed that water supply to Mapusa dropped from October onwards.
According to sources, Mapusa was getting 20 MLD of water supply which has now been brought down to 15 MLD.
Sources further revealed that the PWD has calibrated the valve on the main water pipeline along the Carraswaddo-Guirim highway, which supplies water to Porvorim, Calangute and other areas, besides Mapusa.
"Reduction of supply by 5 MLD is quite a bit and will definitely have a bearing on the supply," a source in the PWD informed The Goan.
In fact, in October, Mapusa received only 13 MLD of water supply, which is a shortfall of 7 MLD.
But shortage of drinking water is not the only problem in the city. In some places, the overhead reservoirs overflow with precious water going waste.
Often overhead tanks near St Xavier's College and Carraswaddo overflow with treated water going down the drain, completely exposing the irresponsibility of the PWD field staff.
Residents are becoming increasingly apprehensive on shortage of water for drinking.
Councilor, Sushant Harmalkar said many residents in his ward complain that water pressure was very low.
"On account of low water pressure, people who live at a higher altitude do not get water. We have made written representations to the PWD (water) several times, but the officials appear to be helpless," Harmalkar said.
"Last Friday we have warned the JE and the AE if the supply does not improve within eight days, the residents will march to the PWD office," he added.
Assistant Engineer, PWD (water), Subhash Belgoankar said some areas were having a problem of pressure but there was no major problem as such.
"There are minor problems in some areas. There is no major problem. In some pockets there are complaints of low pressure..." Belgoankar said.
When probed a little more, the AE said he was barred from speaking to the media.
"We are not supposed to give any information to reporters. We have received directions from the office...," Belgaonkar said.
When questioned if he has received a circular from the department, the AE just cut the call.
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It's mockery of
system: Francis
MAPUSA: Expressing his disgust over the shortage of drinking water supply in Mapusa, Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA, Francis D'Souza said it was a mockery of the system.
"When people do not get supply of drinking water, it is a mockery of the system. How can you tolerate these things," D'Souza asked.
He said PWD officials only make promises but fall short on delivery.
"I have spoken so many times to the Executive Engineer and Assistant Engineer. They say it will be corrected but nothing is happening. I have also spoken to the Principal Chief Engineer, who promised to look into it. They only say we will look into it but nothing is happening," D'Souza said.
The Urban Development Minister said just two months back Mapusa was getting 20 MLD of water and wondered how it has suddenly dropped to 15 MLD.
"The PWD minister is saying that he will provide 24-hour water supply. For last 15 years he has been promising this. We do not get water for one hour... How do you justify this," he queried.
He said overflow of reservoirs was not acceptable, as it was leading to wastage when so many people who pay do not get water.
"It is criminal waste of treated water which is expensive. Several parts of Mapusa like Carraswaddo, Gaunsavaddo Khorlim, Ansabhat ...do not get proper water supply," he said.
D'Souza said he will write to the PWD minister on the problem of the shortage of water and the reduction of supply to Mapusa from 20 MLD to 15 MLD.
Signs of water stress seem to be spreading in Mapusa with several parts of the city facing shortage of drinking water.
Some parts of Khorlim, Ansabhat, Feria Alta, Carraswaddo, Gaunsavadda and other areas are either getting erratic supply or the water pressure is very low.
Inquiries have revealed that water supply to Mapusa dropped from October onwards.
According to sources, Mapusa was getting 20 MLD of water supply which has now been brought down to 15 MLD.
Sources further revealed that the PWD has calibrated the valve on the main water pipeline along the Carraswaddo-Guirim highway, which supplies water to Porvorim, Calangute and other areas, besides Mapusa.
"Reduction of supply by 5 MLD is quite a bit and will definitely have a bearing on the supply," a source in the PWD informed The Goan.
In fact, in October, Mapusa received only 13 MLD of water supply, which is a shortfall of 7 MLD.
But shortage of drinking water is not the only problem in the city. In some places, the overhead reservoirs overflow with precious water going waste.
Often overhead tanks near St Xavier's College and Carraswaddo overflow with treated water going down the drain, completely exposing the irresponsibility of the PWD field staff.
Residents are becoming increasingly apprehensive on shortage of water for drinking.
Councilor, Sushant Harmalkar said many residents in his ward complain that water pressure was very low.
"On account of low water pressure, people who live at a higher altitude do not get water. We have made written representations to the PWD (water) several times, but the officials appear to be helpless," Harmalkar said.
"Last Friday we have warned the JE and the AE if the supply does not improve within eight days, the residents will march to the PWD office," he added.
Assistant Engineer, PWD (water), Subhash Belgoankar said some areas were having a problem of pressure but there was no major problem as such.
"There are minor problems in some areas. There is no major problem. In some pockets there are complaints of low pressure..." Belgoankar said.
When probed a little more, the AE said he was barred from speaking to the media.
"We are not supposed to give any information to reporters. We have received directions from the office...," Belgaonkar said.
When questioned if he has received a circular from the department, the AE just cut the call.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's mockery of
system: Francis
MAPUSA: Expressing his disgust over the shortage of drinking water supply in Mapusa, Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA, Francis D'Souza said it was a mockery of the system.
"When people do not get supply of drinking water, it is a mockery of the system. How can you tolerate these things," D'Souza asked.
He said PWD officials only make promises but fall short on delivery.
"I have spoken so many times to the Executive Engineer and Assistant Engineer. They say it will be corrected but nothing is happening. I have also spoken to the Principal Chief Engineer, who promised to look into it. They only say we will look into it but nothing is happening," D'Souza said.
The Urban Development Minister said just two months back Mapusa was getting 20 MLD of water and wondered how it has suddenly dropped to 15 MLD.
"The PWD minister is saying that he will provide 24-hour water supply. For last 15 years he has been promising this. We do not get water for one hour... How do you justify this," he queried.
He said overflow of reservoirs was not acceptable, as it was leading to wastage when so many people who pay do not get water.
"It is criminal waste of treated water which is expensive. Several parts of Mapusa like Carraswaddo, Gaunsavaddo Khorlim, Ansabhat ...do not get proper water supply," he said.
D'Souza said he will write to the PWD minister on the problem of the shortage of water and the reduction of supply to Mapusa from 20 MLD to 15 MLD.
