From taps to tankers, water supply lets Mormugao down

Vasco: Mormugao taluka, comprising four constituencies—Mormugao, Vasco, Dabolim, and Cortalim—faces significant water supply challenges despite having a population of over one lakh residents.

The region requires 80-82 MLD (Million Liters per Day) of water, but erratic power supply and infrastructure issues have led to irregular water distribution, forcing residents to rely on expensive private water tankers.PWD water section officials report that while water supply was previously poor, the replacement of cement pipelines with MS ones has brought some improvement to the system.The Selaulim water treatment plant, along with water reservoirs and pumping stations across the South Goa district, experiences frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations, affecting water supply in all four constituencies.Approximately 3 to 4 MLD of water from the total supply is directed to St Andre constituency in North Goa district. “The supply of water to the St Andre constituency from the Selaulim water treatment plant has not affected the water distribution in Mormugao taluka,” a senior official told TOI.During the water crises, private water tanker prices surge, falling between Rs 900 and Rs 1,500 per trip. These tankers often prioritise apartments and housing societies due to time efficiencyThe PWD’s single tanker at the Baina office in Vasco is insufficient to meet public demand.

The hired tanker manages only 8 to 10 trips a day. Residents have requested the PWD to hire additional tankers to reduce dependence on private operators. The Mormugao Municipal Council has also begun providing its tanker during the water crisis.The PWD has proposed constructing an overhead tank near Meta Strips at Upasnagar to store additional water for emergencies.Recent incidents near Dabolim junction and Verna, occurring less than a month apart, resulted in damaged water pipelines, causing significant hardship to residents and restricted water supply throughout Mormugao taluka.Proper coordination between govt authorities and agencies could have prevented these pipeline damages.