Increased turbidity at source hits water supply in Shimla

Shimla, August 27

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Water supply in the state capital was affected today due to an increase in turbidity in all sources following heavy rain.

On Tuesday, the town received 37 million of litres per day (MLD) water, including 19.59 MLD from Gumma, 9.01 MLD from Giri, 4.19 MLD from Koti Brandi, 3.51 MLD from Churot, 0.76 MLD from Chairh and 0.70 MLD from Seog. Normally, the town requires 45 to 48 MLD water on a daily basis.

Sahil, a spokesperson of the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL), said turbidity in Giri, one of the main drinking water supply schemes reached 5600 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU), hitting the normal water supply. He said the water supply to the town could be affected in coming days if heavy rain continues.

Over the past few days, the town was receiving an average water supply of 45 MLD on a daily basis and it had even touched a high of 47 MLD. The supply was also affected on August 8 when the silt level in a water scheme increased due to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, the SJPNL has decided to continue with its present water supply schedule in the town till the end of the monsoon season. At present, water is being supplied across the town after a gap of one day. The decision has been taken due to the fact that water supply could be disrupted due to the increase in the silt level in the water supply schemes.

SJPNL AGM (Water) PP Sharma said the decision to continue with the current schedule was taken to ensure that there was no shortage of water in the town due to increase in silt.

Earlier, during the monthly meeting of Shimla Municipal Corporation, councillors had urged the SJPNL to ensure daily water supply to the town.