Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Leaks in pipeline cause concern

Photo: K. Ananthan

Down the drain: Water flows out from a damaged pipe on Puliakulam Road, near Sungam Junction, in Coimbatore. —

COIMBATORE: Wastage of drinking water and bore well water because of leakage in pipelines laid by the Coimbatore Corporation is causing concern among the people.

There is no point in the Coimbatore Corporation advocating austerity in the use of water during summer when it is not able to plug leaks and prevent wastage, they say.

Mayor R. Venkatachalam recently warned of water line disconnection if people connected motors to these for unauthorised drawal of drinking water.

He had also called upon people to use water judiciously and not to waste it because summer demanded such form of co-operation.

But, residents say water lines spring leaks and the response from the Corporation to plug these is slow.

Water springs from a pipe supplying bore well water on Puliyakulam Road (opposite Carmel Garden School).

Residents allege that a crack developed in the line when a crowbar hit it during storm water drain works that were undertaken in the area two weeks ago.

“Water has been leaking through this crack for the last two weeks. But, nothing has been done to stop it,” says N.P. Arumugham, a resident in a nearby colony.

The leak spot is only half-a-km from the Sungam office of the Corporation.

The residents allege that the local councillor knows of the problem.

But, it is puzzling that nothing has been done to end the wastage.

Mr. Arumugham says the drinking water line that is close to the bore well line has also sprung a leak.

Pointing at a deep scar inflicted on the line by a sharp-edged implement, he says it is actually a crack caused during the drainage work.

“Drinking water also leaks through this whenever the Corporation makes the supply to this area,” he says.

Admitting that there are complaints of water line leaks across the city, the Mayor says he has asked the Corporation’s water supply wing to bestow special attention on this problem.

The field staff has been asked to respond immediately to complaints of leaks and plug these.

The Mayor says that despite these efforts there is a steady stream of complaints.

Shortage of staff is hampering quick response to leaks caused by damage to lines during road works or because of lines being old and worn out.

“I have even suggested that we can have workers on contract for plugging leaks till the summer is over” he says.

The Mayor laments that water lines get damaged during the Avanashi Road expansion work.

When excavators dig the road, they also damage the lines, he says.

“I have said that the workers should be careful enough not to damage the water lines. Yet, the problem keeps occurring.”

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