The HMWSSB is set to submit a report to the government seeking Rs. 15 crore for its contingency plan for the summer


Though the situation is not panicky yet, nevertheless the Water Board is preparing for a contingency plan for the summer. It will shortly submit a report to the government seeking Rs.15 crore for the summer action plan. Field-level staff of the Board are gathering data and based on their inputs the summer action plan will be prepared.

The Board doesn't see any problem maintaining the present supply of 340 MGD. There is sufficient water and there will be no problem on account of it. "Problem, if any, would be due to disruption in supply here and there due to power breakdown", said M. Jagadeeshwar, Managing Director, HMWSSB.

Last summer the depleting level in Singur was the cause for worry. But now the situation is vastly different with almost all the reservoirs being in comfortable position. Therefore, the authorities are confident of continuing the present supplies. However, they are worried about the power situation with the demand peaking with summer.

There are 846 booster stations in the core city, including the power bore wells. The total network is dependent on power and any breakdown in it will affect the local water supply. The Board is taking up the matter with the APCPDCL and seeking its cooperation in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, at least to the booster stations.

As part of the summer action plan, the Board plans to take up repair of hand pump bore wells, submersible pump stations, hiring of tankers for making additional trips to unserved areas and plugging of leakages in pipelines.

During the 100 day action plan a large number of defunct bore wells and public stand posts were repaired and the leftover would be done now. In the coming months, the Board plans to focus on areas where its network is poor.