Mysore/Mysuru: The State is facing shortage of drinking water due to very less rains this year and the release of Cauvery and Kabini water to Tamil Nadu (TN) as per the directions of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) added more concern about scarcity of drinking water to Mysuru city and surrounding areas. But it is learnt that there won’t be shortage of drinking water to city till next monsoon only if Cauvery and Kabini water is not released to TN again and also for agricultural purposes in the Cauvery basin.

Now, 45 MLD (Million Litre per Day) water from Belagola Pumping Station, 44 MLD from Hongalli 2nd Stage, 65 MLD from Hongalli 3rd Stage, 98 MLD from Melapura and 65 MLD from Kabini is being supplied daily to Mysuru city, which has a population of more than 10 lakh. In all, a total of 317 MLD of water is being stored to provide drinking water. In addition, 9 MLD of water is also being supplied to 57 villages.

Similarly, 14 MLD water is being supplied to many industrial areas in and around the city including Vishweshwaranagar, 0.5 MLD to Chamundi Hill, 2.05 MLD to Union Government’s RMP Quarters and Plant, 3 MLD to KHB Hootagalli and 9.05 MLD of water to Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA)-developed layouts including Vijayanagar 3rd and 4th Stage totalling 38.05 MLD to areas which are outside the jurisdiction of MCC. Another 20 MLD of water is wasted because of leakage and theft and the remaining 237.5 MLD water is being released to Mysuru city.

“Even though research has shown that Indians use 135 litres per day (litres per capita per day), the people of Mysuru use 210-230 litres per day. The present supply of 237 MLD per day is sufficient for the city. The city will face shortage of drinking water in case of no rain further and if water is released for agricultural purposes and also to Tamil Nadu,” said VVWW Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) A.M. Mohammed Mustafa to SOM.

1,000 borewells in city

The AEE further said that there are more than 1,000 borewells in city and 15 MLD water is being pumped and scarcity of drinking water is also being managed by using borewells. If the water stored in water storage units becomes insufficient, then we make use of borewell water, he added.

There is a possibility that the city may face shortage of drinking water if rains fail again. Hence, the people of Mysuru should use water judiciously. We are also repairing the defunct borewells that are in MCC limits. We have also written a letter to Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited to maintain 80-85 feet water in KRS reservoir, said Ashwin, Executive Engineer (EE), Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW).