Bardez a 'bit better' this summer-ToI

Keshav Naik, TNN | May 11, 2013, 02.28 AM IST MAPUSA: There has been some respite from water woes for Bardez's residents this summer, but the situation is far from rosy as the taluka faces a 6.4 MLD shortfall, making it difficult for some tail-end consumers to cope. The total water requirement of the taluka (Tivim, Aldona, Siolim, Mapusa and Saligao constituencies) is 80 MLD, but the PWD water supply division at Mapusa receives 73.6 MLD. This gap or shortfall is why some of the tail-end consumers face a water crisis, say officials. Mapusa town, on the other hand, requires about 16 to 18 MLD of water which is mostly met, they add. The taluka has 33,601 water connections-90% domestic and 10% commercial. Water is supplied to the taluka by the Assonora water treatment plant, which in turn receives its major supply of water from the Tillari canal and a lesser amount from Amthane river. The capacity of the Assonora plant was increased by 30MLD and two years ago the process to upgrade it by another 50MLD was started. The initial distribution points (connecting main water pipeline from Assonora to the pumping station at Mapusa) receive 24x7 water supply, say officials. But the tail-end points-Ektanagar, Ganganagar in Mapusa, Siolim, Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora and Canca-sometimes face water crises, they add. PWD assistant engineer Vilas Tamboskar told TOI that the department supplies water via tankers, free of cost, to high-end (elevated regions) consumers as well as tail-end consumers. The department hires three tankers in Mapusa, Saligao and Siolim which fill up at the Mapusa filling point (pump station in Mapusa). Tankers are also supplied by the Porvorm PWD office. The tail-end areas of Verem, Pilerne, Porvorim, and surrounding areas have had some problems, said officials. Residents of villages in Bardez have on several occassions complained of severe water shortage problems, which they allege are due to poor distribution and a racket involving the stealing and diversion of water to private hotels and construction sites. "A special operator is kept at the Mapusa water filling point with separate registers to avoid water diversions or distributions. Cross checks are also done with the security register," Tamboskar said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Bardez-a-bit-better-this-summer/articleshow/19995461.cms