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Taps run dry as crisis looms
By Renu Warnasuriya
The heat is literally on. As if the past month has not been hot enough, we are still to face what is generally known as the " hottest month" of the year. Meteorologist in charge of the National Meteorology Centre, S.H. Kariyawasam says the problem began in September, the last month of the south-east monsoon when many areas in the country received below average rainfall. October is an inter-monsoonal month where widespread rains are the norm. "A majority of the places were not good as far as rainfall is concerned," Mr. Kariyawasam says. The only substantial rainfall was in November.

The respite, however, was shortlived as December proved to be the worst month of all. Only a very few areas in the country had even 50% of their usual rainfall. But brace yourself, the worst is yet to come, as February draws near. According to normal patterns, the dry spell should last till March. However, meteorologists cannot be definite. Though they do not rule out the possibility of rain in February, the chances are low. "To overcome the current problem we need a substantial amount of rain," says Mr. Kariyawasam.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) meanwhile, has to plan out their strategy for the dry spell. Already the water levels in the Kelani River at Ambatale and the reservoirs in Labugama and Kalatuwava (which supply water to Colombo) have dropped. Despite this setback the Water Board has been able to "maintain the same production as before," says Eng. S.A.S de Silva, Additional General Manager (Colombo Metropolitan Region).

Though production has not decreased, consumption of water has increased considerably due to the dry spell, making it difficult to maintain water levels in the distribution reservoirs. Low-pressure zones have been created in the distribution network and hence the higher elevated areas in the country have not been receiving a sufficient quantity of water.

Another reason for the shortage is that areas that do get a sufficient flow of water overuse it. If excess water is consumed in low lying areas there will not be enough pressure to supply sufficient water to the higher areas.

On January 19, which according to the tidal chart is one of the worst days for high tide, another problem arose. The low water level in the Kelani River caused sea water to flow upstream. Because of this the pumping of water was stopped for two hours that night. Though this problem is now under control, the Water Board has requested the Ceylon Electricity Board to release water from their highs power reservoirs upstream, (Polpitiya), to counteract the sea water. The NWSDB is also in the process of putting up a temporary dam, using sand-filled gunnies across the Kelani River.

Outside Colombo the situation is similar. In the Peradeniya and Matale areas, the water supply is poor due to the low water levels in the Mahaweli River. Kurunegala is one of the worst affected areas. Because of the low level in the Deduru Oya the area is receiving only 1/3 rd of its usual water supply. Anuradhapura has only a four-hour supply.

"It's a crisis situation," says Eng. de Silva who went on to say that the NWSDB has planned several steps to overcome these problems. Water cuts were introduced to some areas on January 22. "By curtailing the water supply to specified zones, we hope to ensure an equal distribution of water," says Eng. S.R.J.R. Senanayake, Additional General Manager (Development). If the drought continues however, the production capacity could drop, making the problem more severe and conservation more important. "Unless we conserve water, the curtailments will have to be increased," says Eng. Senanayake who explains that if people start behaving responsibly they might be able to manage with limited curtailments.

NWSDB has also been providing the higher areas, which have been affected with bowser supplies of water from January 1. "When we noticed that the pressure was low and consumption was heavy we started distributing bowser supplies." Mr. de Silva says that though this is costly for the Board, they are ready to help consumers and would have stand-by bowsers to provide water whenever necessary.

Lack of meters
Wastage of water is one of the main problems that the Water Board faces and the call to curtail consumption is often made. However, there are other factors that compound the problem. The Sunday Times learns that around 50,000 water meters ordered from abroad were rejected by the Board after a quality check.

Thirty to forty percent of the water bills in Greater Colombo are on an estimated basis, based on the average of the last three months due to this shortage of water meters. This has prompted an increase in consumption as customers know that their usage cannot be monitored. A new stock of quality water meters is expected by April this year.

Long term agony
While most of the country has just been through three days of water cuts, residents from certain areas have suffered through months without water. "We have no water for days at a time," says Christine Perera from Kohuwela’s Pietersz Place. This lane has not had a regular water supply for months. The only time they get water is between 4 a.m. - 5 a.m. and even then there is not enough water to fill overhead tanks. Christine is one of the lucky ones who has a well in her garden. Most of her neighbours survive on this water. " People come in three wheelers and take water," she says.

For most people the solution is to wake up at whatever time the water comes and fill buckets. Many have to impose on the goodwill of friends and relatives who live in other areas to have a bath or wash a few clothes.

Mr. Perera from Enderamulla is in a similar plight. Here too the water comes sometimes every other day or once in three days. During the day there is no water at all. As there may or may not be enough water to fill the tanks, they wake up late at night to collect water. ax

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