Post heavy rains, high turbidity hits water pumping in Shimla

Shimla, June 29

Merely days after water supply has normalised in Shimla, high turbidity can again cause some disruption. Following heavy rains over the last 24 hours, high turbidity has been reported at most of the water sources, including at Giri Water Scheme and Gumma Water Scheme.

“Pumping had to be stopped for some time at most of the schemes today due to high turbidity. So, less water has been lifted from the sources,” said an SJPNL official. “Nevertheless, the disruption would not be significant enough to affect our water schedule,” he said.

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Turbidity can affect disinfection of water, allowing harmful microbes like bacteria, viruses to grow. So people should drink boiled water at this time. —SJPNL officer

About a fortnight back, Shimla was on the verge of a water crisis due to the prolonged dry spell. Due to the shortage of water at the sources, the SJPNL had started supplying water on alternate days and it’s still continuing with the third day supply. The SJPNL official assured that the company would continue supplying water on alternate days.

“High turbidity is a common occurrence during the first few rains of the monsoon. In another few days the turbidity would settle down and will not cause much problem in pumping,” the official said.

He further said that chlorine becomes less effective in disinfecting the water in high turbidity and hence pumping is not done during high turbidity.