Board draws master plan, will bank on reservoirs (Times of India 13 June 2012)

NEW DELHI: The capital is largely dependent on its neighbours for water, its other source being groundwater, the levels of which have gone down drastically in the past few years. Water utility Delhi Jal Board says that major progress has been made in distribution of water but if supply itself is curtailed, then rationalizing is their only option.
Reacting on Haryana's refusal to part with 80 million gallons of water per day through the Munak canal, chief minister Sheila Dikshit said, "The group of ministers has not given its report yet but we are entitled to our due. If nothing else works, we will be forced to go to the prime minister for help."
Haryana recently curtailed supply to Delhi by 12-15 MGD because of which several south Delhi colonies were affected. On Saturday, a major pipe collapse in Mukarba Chowk led to further disruption in south Delhi and NDMC areas.Power failures at treatment plants also saw disruption in supply for a day or so. A power cut of even 15 minutes would mean that a one-time supply to some area would have to be minimized, say officials. Munak canal and Renuka Dam are major projects on which Delhi was dependent but there is no clarity on when water from them will be available.
"Delhi's biggest problem is its growing population and limited infrastructure. We have a limited supply of water and are trying our best to ration it out. Against an ideal supply of 135 litres per capita per day, residents are getting an average of 229 lpcd. There are huge variations in supply but our system of underground reservoirs will help sort this out," said a senior official.
Officials say several measures have been put in place to ease the situation and water and sewage masterplans have been prepared to ensure equitable supply to the city. "Our infrastructure is old and is being replaced at war-footing. We are losing around 25% water through leakages and illegal tapping. We want private companies to take over management of water supply so that efficiency is brought into the system. DJB will continue to remain the owner of the infrastructure and private companies will be answerable to us," said an official.