Shimla has been facing the drinking water supply crisis in summer since long. Remember the unprecedented water crisis of June 2018, when queen of hills literally ran out of drinking water for over eight days, The crisis was so acute that hoteliers had put up notices requesting visitors “we are in water crisis, don’t come to Shimla.” Protests broke out across the town and people even marched to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s official residence "Oakover' at midnight to apprise him of their plight.
During 2018 peak summer, the water availability in Shimla had dipped to 18 million litres per day (MLD) against the requirement of 44 MLD. Until last summer, the average water availability in summer used to be around 19 to 20 MLD as against average requirement of 40 to 44 MLD. The leakages and pilferage from pipelines added to the crisis. A study done by WAPCOS Ltd, a government agency set up to assess drinking water supply and demand position in 2017-18, had found that around 47 percent of drinking water pumped for supply to the town was going to waste due to leakages and pilferage.
And then 25 percent leakages in distribution meant that over 70 per cent of water was being wasted. There were other mismanagement issues, like water being supplied to influentials, unauthorised buildings and establishments including hoteliers and illegal colonies. Some hoteliers had more than one connection. Finally, tourists visiting Shimla during the summer added to the water woes of Shimalites. Approximately, some 20,000 to 25,000 tourists come to Shimla every year.
But no more this year. Water availability and supply data shows that total availability of water from eight main sources — Gumma water supply, Old Gumma scheme, Nauti khad, Giri river, Churat pumping station, Seyoug supply scheme, Chaid and Koti-Brandi — was at a record high in June. As per available record around 50 to 55 MLD of water was being pumped through the main supply system. Its more than the average requirement of the capital city. As such, there was no water rationing this summer.
Undoubtedly, Jairam Thakur has done better of all and worked on war footing to end the drinking water crisis in state capital town, But will this work in long run as present measure is a "Band Aid" (environment expert Sunita Narain quote). Being an expanding urban city, Shimla population is projected to be more than 4 lakh in next ten years and the average water requirement is also likely to be doubled. The town oldest Gumma water supply scheme from Nauti Khad was originally designed for the requirements of nearly 25,000 population. Gumma water scheme can't sustain for long. It has to be sourced from Sutlej. Giri has installed capacity of 20 MLD. only half of the capacity is being pumped in. Gumaa water scheme run into problem during summer as local farmers also tap the water of Nauti Khad for growing cash crops.
So, one of the prerequisites of demand and supply management is to ensure there is no mismatch. Apart from augmenting supply, the wastage due to leakages and pilferage and ill-distribution is altogether stopped. The ultimate solution to Shimla drinking water crisis lies in conservation and recycling of waste water. Much of waster water can be recycled. For example, water used for bathing, washing can be recycled to flushing. Rainy water storage in all govt and non government buildings should be nade mandatory. There is a need to save every drop of water. Its not only authorities, citizens have also bigger role to play. We must remember, if we don't conserve and recycle the available water, next war is going to be fought for water.
(Chander Sharma)