Talking and tackling water crisis, now big time job for residents’ association

The morning walkers at Haddows Road have a new issue to discuss about - water crisis. “We city dwellers are privileged in so many ways. We have access to all the facilities. But what about the plight of the farmers, who are solely dependent on the rain,” asks Amrit Agarwal of Veg Council of Nungambakkam. The organisation, along with the Corporation maintains a park. “We have decided to use the water judicially to water the plants. We have spoken to the staff and have given directions to them in this regard.” 

Even apartment complexes have taken steps and cut water supply for a few of hours to ensure that water is not wasted. “We do not allow water supply for two hours both in the morning and evening from this week. We have informed everyone on our WhatsApp group about the decision and even explained to them why,” says Navin S of Akashdeep Apartments in Egmore. The residents of Ranjit Apartment in Vepery have restricted water supplies whenever there is a water crisis. 

“During the resident’s welfare association meetings, we come to a conclusion about taking such tough calls. Two years ago, we decided to close the valves for a couple of hours for the 32-flat apartment,” says Ravikiran Hirani, treasurer of the resident’s association. WhatsApp groups of these resident associations also come in handy. 

“We have an online group where we discuss everything. Some of the members shared the images of farmers protesting with dead rats and that really moved us. Since then, we have been sharing posts about ways of conserving and recycling water. We have even asked the man, who washes the cars, to do it only on alternate days to reduce water consumption,” says Pankaj Kumar, a resident of OMR.