BENGALURU: The frequent power disruption for over a week has resulted in water supply being delayed across the city. With no formal announcement having been made in this connection, panic-stricken Bengalureans have been flooding water officials and the call centre with grievances.
The BWSSB call centre has received 234 complaints pertaining to water supply during the last one week, said Khader Basha, assistant training leader here. “On an average, we receive 150 complaints every week. So, this is a 55 per cent increase in complaints,” he said. Engineers at various levels across the city have also been receiving complaints.
There has been no reduction in water supply but the timings have been deferred, said S Krishnappa, engineer-in-chief, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
“The delay is caused when there is a power shutdown at the time water is being pumped from the ground level reservoirs. When there is a shutdown at a pumping station, BESCOM provides an alternative connection to facilitate supply,” he said.
Krishnappa said, “With power supply being erratic, the public psychology is that water supply will also suffer. So, they panic and call us when there is a delay.”
BWSSB supplies 1,400 mn litres of water per day and the department continues to supply even after power disruption, he said. “There will be a crisis when there is disturbance in the pumping of Cauvery water from T K Halli, Harohalli and Tataguni pumping houses.”