1,500 cusecs being released to improve water quality in weir

Surat: Around 1,500 cusecs of water is being released into the Tapi from Ukai dam to maintain the level of water in the weir-cum-causeway, the major source of drinking water for the city. In the second half of April, around 2,200 cusecs of water was being released due to high demand. Every summer, water demand shoots up, forcing the authorities to release water from Ukai to maintain the level and quality of water. Industries in Hazira also get regular supply of water from the weir.With rising temperatures, the water level drops quickly in the weir-cum-causeway. Further, the vegetation and impurities mixing in the weir water degrades the quality of water, making water fetching and filtration time-consuming. Mixing fresh water from Ukai improves water quantity and quality, making it easier for civic authorities to supply the water even when demand is high due to summer. Every summer, the weir on the Tapi becomes a lifeline for Surat's drinking water supply, with the authorities frequently depending on release of water from Ukai Dam to maintain quality and adequate storage levels.For the last several years, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has repeatedly sought freshwater from Ukai during the peak of summer. Officials attributed the recurring problem to low river levels, high summer demand, untreated sewage discharge, discharge of polluted water and the growth of algae and water hyacinth in stagnant stretches of the river.Recently, residents of the City Light area complained of discoloured tap water for a few days. In the past, residents of various areas complained of foul-smelling, discoloured water and red worms during the summer. Due to such complaints, the authorities released up to 1,500 cusecs of water from Ukai to improve water quality in the weir."This year too, the dam authorities have been releasing around 600 cusecs of freshwater from Ukai into the weir to ensure uninterrupted supply to SMC filtration plants and industries in Hazira. To maintain the adequate levels, discharge was increased by the dam authorities to 2,200 cusecs, which has now been reduced to 1,500 cusecs," said an SMC official.