Steps on to tap water from catchment areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14 2010: To solve the problem of acute water shortage during the dry spell, the State Government has taken up steps to conserve the catchment areas of the water sources of 233 water supply treatment plants apart from providing dedicated power supply to 13 water supply schemes.

According to an official source, the Forest and Environment Department has been entrusted with the task of taking up necessary measures for the conservation of the catchment areas of the water supply treatment plants which have been specially selected by the Public Health Engineering Department.

After the identification of the catchment areas by the Forest and Environment Department, a detailed project report (DPR) on taking tree plantation, banana plantation and other necessary conservation measures would be submitted to the Government of India, the source disclosed.

A water reservoir at Ukhrul

Explaining that deforestation and quarrying activities in the catchment areas are at the root cause of the failure of many of the water supply treatment plants, the source said that in the conservation efforts, respective village chiefs would also be involved so as to stop indiscriminate felling of trees and quarrying activities in the catchment areas.

Two forest guards would also be deployed in each of the catchment areas where plantation would be taken up, the source informed, adding that after the Forest and Environment Department submits the DPR to the Government of India, internal as well as external funding agencies would be invited to invest in the conservation efforts.

Moreover, to solve the problem of acute shortage of water experienced in Imphal and its surrounding areas during the dry spell, 13 water supply schemes have been selected for providing dedicated power supply so as to ensure smooth functioning of the treatment plants, the source further informed.

In this regard, the Power Department has also deposited the required fund, the source added.

The 13 water supply schemes which have been specially selected for the purpose are selected for the purpose are said to be Chinga Water Supply Scheme, Koirengei Water Supply Scheme, Ningthempukhri Water Supply Scheme, Irilbung Water Supply scheme, Kangchup Water Supply Scheme, Thumbuthong Water Supply scheme, Moirangkhom Water Supply scheme, Potsangbam Water Supply scheme, Canchipur water supply scheme, Khumanlampak water supply scheme, Golapati water supply scheme, Porompat water supply scheme and Singda water supply scheme.

As activation of the dedicated water supply may take time, completion of the project within the current year is remote, the source said.

It is said that Imphal and its surrounding area require 22.5 million gallon of water daily.

But only 16 million gallon is being able to supply currently.

With the provision of dedicated power supply, it is expected that the water supply could be increased by atleast 50 percent if the water supply schemes could function at least 5 to 6 hours daily.