the goan I network
VALPOI
Water supply officials at Valpoi have cautioned that Sattari taluka could face a major water shortage if monsoons are delayed this year.
At present, many villages like Thane, Vante, Pal, Charavane and Koparde, have already been hit by water scarcity since the last two months and water tankers are being supplied to the affected areas as a temporary solution.
According to sources, water levels at the Mhadei river have dropped drastically and pumps cannot draw out water from the river and send it to the Dabose Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
Residents of Sarme, Dabe and Mauxi villages have also complained of water shortage and had even staged a protest march to the water supply department office at Valpoi. They too have been supplied with tanker water as a temporary solution.
When contacted, a water supply official at the Valpoi office admitted that many villages in Sattari taluka have been facing water shortage.
“The water level at the Mhadei river has gone down and this has caused problems for the Dabose WTP. If the rains are delayed this year, there could be a major water shortage in Sattari Taluka,” the official cautioned.
The Dabose WTP was set up following concerted efforts by former chief minister Pratapsing Rane and it was upgraded by then chief minister late Manohar Parrikar from 10 MLD to 15 MLD.
At present, the State government has sanctioned an additional 6 MLD to address the water shortage problems faced by many villages in Sattari taluka.
“The project has been given administrative sanction and awaits financial sanction,” said an official.
The Dabose WTP, which is a major source of water supply to Sattari taluka, has been hit by problems of its own.
Sources said the pump is old and needs to be replaced with a new and higher capacity pump. Erratic power supply has also affected pumping operations and water supply distribution at the Dabose WTP.
