Dipping Singur level: Water woes set to multiply

HYDERABAD: The peak summer is a good three months away and already a serious water problem is staring in the face of lakhs of residents of Ramachandrapuram, Serilingampally, Patancheru, Quthbullapur and some areas of LB Nagar owing to water levels dipping in Singur reservoir, city’s lifeline. Even industrial units dependent on Singur water are likely to run into major water shortage problems.
The full tank level (FTL) of Singur is 1,717.932 ft and the water level on Wednesday stood at 1,686.729 ft.Last year, on December 26, the level was at 1,706.694 ft. “We are worried about supplying potable water in ensuing summer. Though we will devise contingency plans to overcome this shortage, both domestic and non-domestic (industries) consumers are likely to be affected,” a senior official in HMWS&SB told TOI.
The Water Board supplies Singur water to 80,000 domestic consumers and another 25,000 non-domestic consumers. Currently, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is supplying a total of 31.670 million gallons of water per day (MGD) as against the assured quantity of 75 MGD. “We will talk to chief secretary soon to resolve the water shortfall,” an official said.
In fact, all the drinking water sources, except Singur, have enough water levels due to bountiful rain this year. The state government had even asked the Water Board to provide potable water to nearby villages under ‘Mission Bhagiratha’ and continue the supplies this year also.
“If the government decides to continue Singur supplies to nearby villages, then the 80,000 consumers will face acute shortage of water in the ensuing summer,” explained the official.
Another worry bothering the board is the impact on its revenues. “Non-domestic consumers are a major sources of income to us. If we stop supplies to industries, our revenues will take a beating,” a senior official reasoned.