Water supply was temporarily disrupted in some residential colonies in Delhi on Monday, causing some inconvenience to the residents, with some areas in South, East, and Central Delhi witnessing low pressure or no water supply, mainly during the peak hours, i.e., the morning hours when the demand for water reaches its peak.
According to officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the problem was the result of ongoing maintenance, technical glitches, and lower output at some treatment plants. Teams for emergency repairs have been sent to the areas, and the provision for essential needs has been arranged through tankers.
Affected Areas
As per reports, water supply was irregular in the following colonies: Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Mayur Vihar, some areas of Patparganj, and select areas of Old Delhi. In these areas, water either came late or was not available when it was time for water supply, and everyone had to drink water from storage.
In some communities, non-governmental organizations named resident welfare associations (RWAs) have contracted private water tankers to supply them with water. But this increased the burden of expenditures on the community. This is not suitable for old and children’s health as vulnerable adults and children will have to spend more money to buy water.
“Usually, we used to have water supply in the early mornings. But today, we did not get the supply. We had to rely on the stock of water and call the tanker,” said a resident of East Delhi.
Official Response
The Delhi Jal Board has clarified that routine maintenance and repairs were being conducted on important water supply pipes. They clarified that the repairs were being conducted to avoid possible leakage and interruptions in water supply.
“Certain areas have had temporary disruptions because of necessary maintenance and technical problems. We are doing the utmost to have normal supplies restored as soon as possible,” said a DJB official. Most areas are expected to have improvements by the end of the evening.
The water company further asked the public to use water rationally and not to waste water until complete normalcy is restored.
Tanker Services and Helplines
For short-term supply, the DJB has started using water tankers to provide water to the affected localities. People are asked to call the control rooms or the helpline number of the DJB to arrange for tanker supply. They are also giving priority to hospitals, schools, and areas that have no other sources of water.
However, some residents expressed dissatisfaction over the response of tankers in terms of delay in their arrival and supply delivery. The RWAs demanded coordination and early notification by the authorities to prepare residents for possible disruptions.
Reiterate Challenges
Disruption of water supply in the capital is not rare, especially during winters and summer seasons. This is due to resource outputs hindered during winters for maintaining the water supply system, and during summer due to peak water demands.
Urban planners comment that although it is important for them to focus on the short-term management of the problem, it is also important for them to implement strategies like the upgrade of the pipeline, resource management systems, and management of demand in the long term if the disruptions are expected on a constant basis
“Temporary shutdowns can be understood, but residents should be informed in advance. It can help reduce inconvenience,” said a water resource management expert.
Impact on Daily Life
The impact of the outage was seen in daily routines, as residents adjusted their house chores, office routines, and school preparations. The professionals and house help experienced difficulties, while small restaurant owners and home-based businesses complained of water shortages.
In residential buildings that relied on underground storage tanks, it was tolerable for a few hours; otherwise, there would be worries about sanitation and cleanliness.
Advisory to Residents
The Delhi Jal Board urged citizens to pre-emptively store water when the notice of maintenance comes, report any leakage, and not overuse the water supply when disruption periods are occurring. Citizens were also urged to refer to updates from the DJB for proper facts and not believe rumors. As the restoration activities continue, the relevant authorities have assured citizens that work is being done to stabilize the supply within the affected colonies. Although challenges of temporary shortages persist within Delhi’s vastness, it is imperative to note that enhancing infrastructure and readiness systems to provide more stable access to this resource is an integral aspect of this initiative.
