IMPHAL, April 3: With acute shortage of drinking water in the state capital Imphal and its surrounding areas already getting worse, the situation could only worsen with apprehensions that private water tankers could be supplying water collected from Nambul and other rivers as potable and safe water to its customers.
It had been recently reported that there is an acute shortage of water at the main water supply schemes lying in and around Imphal with water levels of their main sources, Singda Dam, Imphal River and others falling down rapidly.
Both Koirengei and Porompat water supplies have been unable to meet the daily water demand for some time now.
With the looming water scarcity issue coupled with the inability of the state water supplies to meet the daily requirements, residents of Imphal and its surrounding areas have been contacting private water tankers for their daily consumption. However an apprehension has arisen before the residents of Imphal, whether they are getting safe water from their water tankers.
Some private water tankers with “Drinking Water” labelled on their bodies were this afternoon at around 12:30pm seen pumping water from the Nambul River near the foothills of Iroishemba.
When an IFP reporter enquired from the tanker drivers if it the water was for sale, they replied in the affirmative, however added that it cannot be used for drinking. It is for washing clothes and to be used for building construction, they added.
They further informed the IFP reporter that they are doing business in the Sagolband and Uripok areas and sell 2000 litres for Rs 400.
PHED sources said, only one months stock is available in the water reserviors managed by the department and it had become extremely difficult to ensure daily water supply to the consumers in Imphal city. The main sources of drinking water for Imphal is Singda and Leimakhong water supply plants, and conditions have worsened in recent times due to lack of rains.