No water for 15 days in Malakpet

Residents of Moosanagar and Malakpet have been facing a severe water shortage for the past 15 days because of continuing repairs on pipelines that have been damaged.

Authorities are also repairing the supply line that was affected by rust – the lines had allowed contaminants to mix with the drinking water.

Sarvar Khan, a resident of Moosanagar said, “Earlier, water was being supplied only for 15 minutes during the night. But that has stopped too due to leaking pipes. Life here has become very difficult and we are forced to collect water from tankers. But the tankers only come once a week and we are able to source just two to three cans of water.”

Another resident, Rubina said complaints and quick fixes on the pipes have not worked.

“Last year, contaminated water mixed with drinking water after drainage pipelines broke. The problem was fixed following complaints to the water department. This year, the very same problem began 15 days ago. The water was supplied two weeks ago but the sump remains totally contaminated because the repaired drainage pipes have broken again. Despite repeated complaints, officials have not responded.”

T. Mahesh, a manager with the HMWS&SB said: “The main problem with this area is that drainage pipes and water pipes have been laid next to each other. Last year, a broken drain pipe was replaced but this year, another pipe developed rust and holes. Due to these holes, mud and silt have formed in the water pipelines – there can’t be water supply because the pipes are choked.

“It took us three days to just rectify the problem but we are finally in the process of changing the pipes. Once the pipes are replaced, the residents will start receiving water,” Mr Mahesh said.