Faulty valve deepening Singda water crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 11 2023:
Amid acute shortage of potable water besetting the public in different localities in the plains, a leaked valve on the southern canal of Singda Dam, which is meant for providing irrigation water, is draining away water non-stop resulting in rapid depletion of water level in the Dam's reservoir.
As the water level has receded to a great extent, both Singda water treatment plant and Kangchup Water Supply scheme are now unable to get full capacity of water from the dam.
Due to the low water volume, the flow rate is drastically slow, further resulting in slow filling of the Flocculator.
Consequently, Singda water treatment plant, which has the capacity of 18.16 MLD, cannot get its full capacity of water in a day.
Local people said that the valve on the southern canal started leaking more than a year ago and yet no steps have been taken up to repair the fault.
Since water leaks through the faulty valve non-stop, it contributes in consistent draining away of water from the dam's reservoir.
The leaked water is being used by labourers for bathing and washing purpose, whereas the public are not getting regular water supply due to low water volume.
Considering the situation, PHED is now providing public water supply after a gap of three to six days.
On the other hand, in the absence of regular water supply, families in Imphal area are spending a minimum of Rs 2000 every month to buy water from private tankers.
There are also reports that many families in Uripok area are using paper plates to due to unavailability of potable water.
Meanwhile, water resources department's AE (SO) in-charge Pradip Maisnam said that the leaked water is channeled through the canal for irrigation purpose.
The volume of water leaked through the faulty valve is only about five per cent of total daily consumption and as such, it is not a major reason for the receding water volume.
At the same time, the department is in the process of replacing a new valve as the water volume recedes.
He also said that WRD is providing raw water supply to PHED 24/7 for public supply and there is stock of around two months in the reservoir.
Currently, a project for rehabilitation and improvement of the three-decade old dam is being taken up at a tot project cost of more than Rs 500 crore with Keystone Infra Private Limited as the work agency.
The repair work which began from August 2021, is in good progres.
Vertical and horizontal riprap works for the inner slope the reservoir is almost complete and they are target ing to complete the project within three years from the starting date, he added.