TWAD & Corp Work Together To Avoid Water Shortage
The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board and the Coimbatore Corporation will maintain a close vigil on the drinking water distribution system so that the people do not run out of water during summer because of any disruption in supply, official sources in both the agencies said on Monday. While decreasing water level in the dam is the usual problem during summer with the Siruvani scheme, bursts or leaks in the main line is an area of concern in the Pilloor scheme.
The recent burst in the Pilloor water scheme main line had led to fears of more such problems denying water during peak summer. But TWAD Board sources allayed the fears by listing the measures already in place to tackle emergencies. They said the board had adequate stock of materials, including 1500 mm mild steel pipes, to replace damaged ones quickly. The sources explained that the recent breach was only the second such major incident in over a year. Otherwise, there were only small leaks in the line.
The supply would not be stopped if there were a couple of leaks as this would unnecessarily hold up supply to a number of local bodies. If a number of leaks sprang in the main line, the board stopped pumping of water after providing information well in advance to the people through newspapers, the sources said. Line bursts owing to pressure would not occur often as the board kept a close watch on the flow through telemetry system. Any increase or decrease in pressure could be noticed quickly and remedial measures taken. The field staff had also been instructed to carry out patrolling along the main line to detect leaks and bursts.
As for the Coimbatore Corporation, water managers said there were provisions to divert Siruvani water to the Pilloor-served areas, if there was any problem in the Pilloor main line. Already, water was being provided through tankers in areas that were short of normal supply. The Siruvani main line seldom suffered any bursts because water flowed with gravity from the hills. Even if some problem occurred in the line, supply to the public could be done through lorries. All contingency measures were already in place to meet any emergency during summer, the sources said.
