WRD sources Selaulim, Ganjem water to augment Khandepar river

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Ponda: With the water level in

Khandepar

river dipping due to the summer heat, the water resources department (WRD) has been augmenting it with water sourced from Selaulim dam and Ganjem water scheme. However, the scenario is better than last summer, with the river’s level at Opa basin currently at 3.9m on April 19 as compared to 3.6m to the corresponding date last year.

While WRD fetches 35MLD water from the Mhadai river at Bolcornem Bandhara which is poured into the Ganjem river which flows into the Khandepar, the Selaulim treatment plant pours 48MLD water in the Kaley river that flows down to the river basin from where the Opa water treatment plant draws water for treatment.

The Opa Water Works, that has a total of five water treatment plants (WTP) at Opa ward in Khandepar village of Ponda taluka, enables supply of potable water to over 95% of Ponda and Tiswadi talukas. This includes Panaji, Bambolim, Taleigao, Ribandar and the entire taluka of Ponda.

Earlier, the Opa Water Works with four WTPs used to draw 125 MLD water, and following the commissioning of the new 27MLD plant, the Opa Water Works now draws over 160 MLD water from the river basin regularly.

During peak summer, i.e April and May, the water level reduces due to evaporation and ground seepage, and hence the river basin needs to be rejuvenated by augmenting water from other sources.

“Sometimes the water quantity at the drawing point goes below the required level and to maintain the level, continuous augmentation of the river is needed,” Pramod Badami, WRD superintending engineer said.

He also said that there are a total 18 bandharas over Khandepar and Kalay rivers, with a capacity of 21.8 lakh CuM of storage water in 12 bandharas over Khandepar River and a total 4.5 lakh CuM storage water spread in six bandharas over the Kalay river. “But this year, so far no bandhara has been opened till now,” he added.