Ullal: Municipality limits surviving on tanker water

Team Udayavani, Apr 28, 2019, 1:01 PM IST

Ullal: The demand for water has increased within the municipality limits here. With the rising summer temperatures, the areas along the sea coast and river bed are facing a small problem of salt water while at some other places, the underground water has turned red. Since most of the water sources of the municipality have exhausted, is situation is making people turn towards tanker water.

12 wards within the municipality are facing a major problem of water shortage, while 13 wards are facing a lower intensity of the problem and 6 wards do not have any problem regarding water and ironically, the limited water which is being provided is getting wasted. The areas facing the major lack of water are Pandit House, Shivajinagar, Sevanti Gudde, Kallapu, Hidayat Nagar, Kapikad, Gandhinagar, Chembugudde, Margatale, Manchila, Kakketota and Ullalbailu areas while Ombattukere has joined in with the group with water shortage being faced here with the culmination of April.

Facing this big problem for the first time

Earlier, even though problems regarding lack of water have occurred within the limits of Ullal municipality, this time it’s with much greater intensity. Although coastal area is facing the problem of salt water, drinking water is being provided only to necessary areas.

Water once in two days

Most of the areas within the municipality limits are being provided with water once in two days. Even though the contract with Thumbay vented dam is for 3 MLD of water supply daily, Ullal is presently getting only 1.5 MLD. Since this month, the water is being provided once in four days because of which, water related problem has increased in Pandit House and Shivajinagar areas.

The water level in the bore well at Kallapu, Ambattadi and Hidayatnagar in the 15^th ward within the municipality limits has dropped drastically and presently, water mixed with mud is being supplied. The houses located in the elevated area of the 6^th cross of Gandhinagar here are not receiving water properly since the water level at the bore well here has dropped considerably. The water in the bore well at Ombattukere too is mixed with mud. There are 5,186 water users with municipality limits and the water level in all the 68 wells here has fallen drastically. The water source at three open wells here had also depleted.

The lake must be developed

Karebail ward in Ullal municipality which is named after the lakes here itself is currently depending upon tanker water. The lake existing here needs to be developed which requires a budget of Rs 1 crore and the lake with an area of 40 cents needs a donation of an additional 25 cents from Halekote for its development. Importantly, the lakes here are plagued by water pollution and the water here may be used for drinking only if proper development is undertaken here. Through the development of these lakes, the ground water level in the surrounding Areas will also increase.

84 trips of water daily

The well at Ullal Dargha provides water to entire Ullal municipality and daily, 84 trips of tanker water is supplied from here. Last time, the very well had provided 11567 KL of water through 3305 trips. This time, the number might rise.

Rise in water problem

“The problem regarding drinking water has increased and presently, water is being provided once in three days through the pipes. Since the last few days, we are depending on the house of a relative in Ullal for bathing and washing of clothes,” informs Mohammed Haneef, a resident of T C road

 If there is a problem, give a call

“This time, water is being provided through water tankers from the month March itself. The tankers have been installed with GPS. Even though the presently estimated of water requirement is at 13,600 kl, the demand might possibly increase. Facility has been created to provide water soon after receiving emergency calls. Separate grant has been released for the creation of a separate pipeline Thumbay to Ullal and the surrounding villages,” informed Renuka, Junior Engineer, Water Supply Division, Ullal Municipality