Quick Response Team to monitor water supply in capital

Shillong, Mar 23 (UNI) In the wake of acute drinking water crisis in and around Greater Shillong, the government has constituted a 'Quick Response Team' to check water leakage and take an on-the-spot decision for streamlining the water supply.

The special team comprises magistrates and officials from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department and the Shillong Municipal Board, PHE Minister HDR Lyngdoh today told the assembly.

The team, headed by the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner, has been monitoring supply of water in the capital city on a day to day basis.

Replying to a discussion on a motion moved by Opposition member A L Hek (BJP), the minister said deforestation around the catchment areas has led to decreased discharge of water from natural sources in and around the city.

The Greater Shillong Water Supply (GSWS) Project, Phase-I of which was commissioned in 1986, has come as an 'instant solution' to water scarcity in the capital, he said, adding the project was designed and intended to supply water to an ultimate population of 3,51,000.

The present availability of 5.2 million gallon of water per day is more or less sufficient for the present population and the ultimate designed capacity of the project is 11.30 million gallon per day.

For effective distribution of water, the Shillong Urban area has been divided into nine zones, Mr Lyngdoh said.

The government will also consider tapping other sources in and around Shillong for drinking water supply once the population figures in the city and its suburbs approaches the designed population of the GSWSS (Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme).

The PHE department would also initiate rainwater-harvesting schemes and take steps to recharge ground water in order to minimize surface run-off.

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