Chennai: With threat of water scarcity looming large in parts of the city where there is no piped-water supply, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials are yet to decide on increasing the number of water tankers. Residents have urged the metro water board to increase supply of drinking water.
Sources said several areas in the city face drinking water shortage and people, holding pots, are found waiting for tanker lorries. At present, the CMWSSB is operating more than 700 contractual lorries across the city. Going by the present scenario, the number of tankers is not enough to meet the growing demand for drinking water.
“We are spending sleepless nights and we need to wait for even two to three days to get water. Unlike in the past, water tankers are not properly operated during day time. Officials operate such lorries at nights,” said K. Manikandan, a resident of New Washermenpet.
Similarly, another resident said, “We are sometimes forced to buy water. As lorries occasionally arrive, residents fight with each other for water.” An area engineer, CMWSSB, on conditions of anonymity said, “This is not new. Before onset of monsoon, drinking water is always in demand and we will give priority to those who book online for water.”
When contacted, a metro water senior official told DC, “As of now, there is no acute water scarcity and we do not plan to increase the fleet of tankers. We supply 630 MLD of water and have enough storage in lakes with other sources from Veeranam lake and two desalination plants.”
