Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Faced with deficient rainfall and a water crunch, the district administration has ordered urban and rural local bodies to cut water consumption by at least 10% from Oct 16. It has also directed them to conserve enough water to meet the needs of people and livestock until Aug 31, 2027.
At least 10% of the live storage in every major reservoir should be kept as an emergency buffer and used only for drinking water in critical situations,” collector Vinay Gowda GC said.
“We will plan irrigation only from the water remaining after meeting drinking water, livestock, industrial and fodder requirements,” Gowda said. “Drinking water must be accorded the highest priority while planning the available water in dams, lakes and other sources. The agriculture department has been asked to encourage farmers to grow less water-intensive rabi and fodder crops. It will also promote drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Industries have been asked to reuse at least 30% of the water they consume.
Local bodies have been told to immediately assess available water stocks. Municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats and gram panchayats have also been told to plug water leakages and launch campaigns against wastage. They must factor in losses from evaporation, siltation and leakages before reserving water for drinking, domestic use and livestock. The administration wants greater reuse of water as well. Sewage treatment plants have been directed to operate at full capacity. Treated water should be used for gardens, road dividers, construction, industrial activities and washing.
At least 10% of the live storage in every major reservoir will be kept untouched as an emergency drinking water buffer. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Irrigation releases will also be stopped, barring unavoidable situations. Irrigation will get water only after requirements for drinking, livestock, industries and fodder are met. The administration will also crack down on unauthorised water extraction. Taluka-level teams headed by sub-divisional officers will check illegal pumping from dams, irrigation projects, rivers, streams and wells. Unauthorised pumps, motors and pipelines will be seized. Illegal electricity connections used for water extraction will be disconnected. Mobile squads will patrol areas around irrigation projects and conduct surprise checks. No new irrigation power connections will be given around projects where water storage has fallen to critical levels. Download the TOI App.