It is not easy to get the real story behind Mysore's drinking water problem. We met JUSCO's representatives, but we could not meet Vani Vilasa Water Works officials, however hard we tried. When JUSCO's version of the water situation appeared in the media, MCC Commissioner asked the department officials to meet us and explain their side. As a result, we could meet the SE of MCC, EE from Karnataka Water Supply and Drainage Board and officials of VVWW including the EE and got some more facts on the water crisis. JUSCO officials also attended the meeting.
Now meters have been installed on all the mains bringing water to Mysore from Kaveri and every one agrees that Mysore is getting more than 190 million litres a day. This is more than sufficient to meet the water needs of Mysore. But distribution problems are preventing many of us from getting our fair share of the water.
These problems are threefold. Firstly, overhead tanks have been built all over the city to supply water to the customers, but there were no pumps to pump water from the main reservoirs to these tanks. The pumps are being installed now and the work is expected to take about three months.
But the installation of the pumps will not end our water problems. The pipes which supply homes from the overhead tanks need to be replaced since there are leaks everywhere and an enormous amount of water is being lost every day.. JUSCO will be replacing 1700 km of pipelines in the coming months.
In addition to replacing the leaky pipelines, one more thing needs to be done. There are a lot of illegal connections, connections without meters. These connections are stealing a vast amount of water without generating any revenue to MCC. In many cases, they are responsible for the shortage of water for other consumers. These illegal connections have to be eliminated. There are powerful vested interests which would want to maintain status quo and it would be a test of the will of MCC and JUSCO.
When these three tasks are accomplished, Mysore may get 24x7 water supply. This work is being done in phases and water supply in some areas of the city may improve before others. To keep the public up-to-date, JUSCO has agreed to provide frequent detailed updates on the work progress and MCC has agreed to put this information on its website. The residents of various wards can check the MCC website and get a better picture of when their water problems will be solved.
These problems are threefold. Firstly, overhead tanks have been built all over the city to supply water to the customers, but there were no pumps to pump water from the main reservoirs to these tanks. The pumps are being installed now and the work is expected to take about three months.
But the installation of the pumps will not end our water problems. The pipes which supply homes from the overhead tanks need to be replaced since there are leaks everywhere and an enormous amount of water is being lost every day.. JUSCO will be replacing 1700 km of pipelines in the coming months.
In addition to replacing the leaky pipelines, one more thing needs to be done. There are a lot of illegal connections, connections without meters. These connections are stealing a vast amount of water without generating any revenue to MCC. In many cases, they are responsible for the shortage of water for other consumers. These illegal connections have to be eliminated. There are powerful vested interests which would want to maintain status quo and it would be a test of the will of MCC and JUSCO.
When these three tasks are accomplished, Mysore may get 24x7 water supply. This work is being done in phases and water supply in some areas of the city may improve before others. To keep the public up-to-date, JUSCO has agreed to provide frequent detailed updates on the work progress and MCC has agreed to put this information on its website. The residents of various wards can check the MCC website and get a better picture of when their water problems will be solved.
Sreemathi Hariprasad, President, Mysore Grahakara Parishat