The Hindu

• Awareness being spread on water conservation
• Special units tending to all complaints of leaks
• Leaks have been plugged, repairs done

Mangalore, Feb 6: Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) is geared up to face the water shortage expected during the summer months. The leaks have been plugged, faulty gates repaired, filters changed and pumps overhauled. The only drinking water source of Mangalore — the Nethravati river — is still overflowing the vented dam at Thumbe.

Recently, MCC successfully shifted the 18-inch pipeline in the Baikampady-Suratkal sector to facilitate the four-laning work being taken up by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Sources in the NHAI have expressed satisfaction at the timely manner in which this task was carried out.

The Corporation water supply department is now focusing on regulating water usage and creating awareness on the need for its conservation among the people. According to MCC Executive Engineer Suresh Babu, most leaks in the city had been plugged, although new leaks were being reported every day. However, special units were attending to every complaint as soon as possible.

One of the major leaks reported from the vented dam has also been fixed. The corporation has cleaned up the jack-wells on the riverbed to ensure a smooth water supply to all sixty wards.

The corporation has taken additional steps, including replacement of several old pipelines, to ensure that water reaches every house. Consumers have been asked to check for leaks at their homes and get them fixed without delay. Repair work has also been carried out at the Bendoor plant.

The corporation will, however, stick to its system of releasing water once every two days. This is to ensure availability of water at all homes in the city throughout summer.

Meanwhile, the vented dam has an inflow of 500 cusecs every day, which is an improvement in the situation as compared to the same time last year. Currently, MCC supplies water to 69,000 homes and the demand is constantly on the rise.