Karnataka - Mysore   

‘Spending more money may not solve water problem’

MYSORE: The Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) announced here recently that the entire Mysore city would be supplied potable water round the clock by 2012 by spending nearly Rs. 200 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to upgrade the water supply system.

“But even with this huge expenditure, it is unlikely that the Chairman’s promise will be realised,” said V. Mahesha of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat said in a press release here.

Over Rs. 30 crore was spent in 1998 to meet the water requirements of the city up to the year 2011, he said.

“It is clear that the goal has not even been approached. We are in 2008 and are constantly facing serious water shortage and epidemics caused by inadequate water treatment. The pipes were expected to cater to the projected population of 2026. Now, 18 years before this deadline, we are again spending a huge amount to replace the pipes,” he said.

“It will not be surprising if we still face water shortage in 2012…,” Mr. Mahesha said.

There was a need for a paradigm shift to put an end to this ever-escalating expenditure.

“The most important ingredient of this shift is the fact that only about 5 per cent of the water supplied is used for drinking and cooking purposes. Only this water needs to be treated to bring it up to drinking water standards. The remaining 95 per cent of water which is used for bathing, washing and gardening needs minimum treatment. Appreciation of this fact will alone lead to saving of crores of rupees,” he said.

According to Mr. Mahesha, identification of good drinking water sources will further reduce processing cost. “Rainwater should be harvested at suitable places. Such harvested rainwater needs only minimum processing,” he added.

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