Siruvani over flows
Water continues to overflow from the Siruvani Dam despite a decline in rain. The overflow is on since July 7 because of a heavy inflow through the water falls, according to Mayor R. Venkatachalam.There is a sharp decrease in rain for close to a week.But the heavy downpour till a week ago in Kerala (where the dam is located) keeps bringing a good amount of water from the upper reaches of the Siruvani Hills into the dam, he says.But, the two cm and 3 cm rain for nearly a week at the dam has turned the Corporation cautious.There is no room for extravagant spending of water, he says. “That is why we are continuing with the alternate day supply. So far, we have had no complaints over not restoring daily supply,” claims Mr. Venkatachalam.“We are also supplying bore well water for purposes other than cooking and drinking. This is helping us meet the demand for water for all purposes across the city. We, however, still see people washing cars with Siruvani water. There has to be a sense of responsibility, given the water scarcity we have been through,” he says.
Daily supply of drinking water cannot be thought of for the moment, even when there is a surplus in the Siruvani Dam and even if the Pilloor Dam is full.The Corporation shares water from both the sources with three municipalities, about 10 town panchayats and more than 500 village panchayats.The demand for water in the suburbs is also rising, as much as in the city.“We certainly want to provide daily supply. But, we can do it only after implementing the Pilloor Phase-II project (in two years) for the city,” says the Mayor.
“The municipalities and panchayats that get water from the Siruvani Dam too will have separate schemes (also in a couple of years). This will enable the city have more Siruvani water. We will then be able to provide a 24-hour supply,” he says. (A “24 x7 supply” is a condition for providing Union Government grant for the Pilloor Phase-II water scheme under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.)The Mayor says water supply will also improve when problems in power supply equipment in the existing Pilloor scheme are solved and a new pipeline for the Siruvani scheme is laid.
