Metrowater struggles as demand for lorry water rises

However, this year, the water manager of city is struggling to meet the increasing demand for lorry water.

According to the data available with DT Next, CMWSSB has received 52,246 bookings for tanker water between February 1 and February 25, which is higher than the number of bookings made from January 1 to January 31. In January, CMWSSB received 51,813 bookings.

But, the CMWSSB has managed to supply lorry water to only 36,113 customers until February 25. At the same time, the board, during the supply was at 650 MLD in January, had managed to supply water to 42,753 customers. As of now, CMWSSB has nearly 1,000 tanker lorries with 9,000-litre and 6,000-litre capacity.

About the huge difference between booking and delivery, a CMWSSB official said, “The difference is due to the delay in delivering the water. Also, some residents cancel their bookings later,” the official added.

CMWSSB supplies 9,000 litres at cost of Rs 700 for domestic and Rs 1,000 for commercial purposes. Households can buy 6,000 litres of water for Rs 475, while commercial establishments have to pay Rs 700 for the same quantity.

“We have to provide water to the families in our apartment continuously. When pipe water supply is interrupted, we are forced to avail lorry water,” C Ramakrishnan, vice president of Federation of Adyar Resident’s Associations (FEDERA) said.

He added that CMWSSB would take two to three days to supply lorry water. “We cannot completely rely on Metrowater. So, we use the service of both Metrowater and private suppliers to keep our sump full. However, it is the duty of Metrowater to provide water to the residents,” he said.

Apart from supplying lorry water to the residents by collecting charges, the CMWSSB also supplies lorry water at free of cost to the residents in slums and other areas where water pressure is low.