By Wankitbok Pohshna
‘Water water everywhere; Not any drop to drink’ a line from the poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge suits Meghalaya – the abode of clouds, home to the wettest place on earth which has many unanswered questions when it comes to sufficient supply of safe drinking water to the overall population of the state. There is acute shortage of water especially during the dry seasons; what the reasons are is hard to comprehend. The principal department which looks into the affairs of water supply is the undisputed PHE (Public Health Engineering) and the newly created Water Resources Department is of course trailing behind in managing the sources, springs and catchment areas. The State Water Policy is yet to see the light of day, as the draft policy even with the cabinet’s nod since 2019 is still lying in the closet with perhaps no expectation to rise from oblivion. The anticipated GSWSS Phase 3 with so much mayhem is also moving at a slow pace as it needs more money as usual to further make progress.
When the PHE introduced the loop system for water supply during the 90’s, the objective was to effectively distribute water as per the consumption needs of a particular household. However, the entire project could not meet people’s expectations as some areas of Shillong did receive adequate supply while others faced the brunt of inadequate supply or no water at all. The irony is that drinking water has now become a lucrative business for those who supply it through mobile tankers, the cost for which ranges from Rs 350 – 500 per tanker depending upon the distance from the source of water to the delivery point. They make huge sums during the winters and one has to book in advance to get 1500 liters filled to their storage tanks. Those who manage to have bore wells in their premises, are somewhat blessed if their well is placed in a suitable confined aquifer, while those whose wells are within 180 ft deep usually receive water only during the rainy seasons. Their wells remain almost dry during the off-monsoon months.
One fails to understand the policies adopted by the State towards safe drinking water. As many would agree, the water we drink from Mawphlang reservoir is either muddy or contaminated. Fill a bucket and leave it for hours and a reddish brown stain with silt deposit at the bottom appears which is unsafe for human consumption. There were lab findings verified by agencies that the water is not fit for drinking, which was later clarified by the PHE through widespread publicity that the water they supply is completely safe. This has created confusion among people about who or what to believe. Are the tests results true or is the department’s claim accurate? In litmus test the laboratory’s claim is taken into consideration since they are authorized to make such a report card. None can disagree, that there aren’t serious health issues that follow when consuming contaminated drinking water. Who then is responsible for the risk factors that follow when consuming untreated water? When even bore well water is not free from impurities and such water also requires tests by suitable agencies to certify that the water is safe to drink, then how can the Mawphlang water be completely safe?
The conventional practice here is to hire the agency that offers deep tube well drilling services and with a no objection from the administration, the drilling could start with no scientific calculations made for the future ramification that comes with the digging. The Central Ground Water Authority which monitors ground water development in the country with its branch located in Shillong has not much to say when it comes to regulation of ground water extraction in the state as water is a state subject. So unless there is an effective mechanism to regulate ground water extraction by a state agency like the Water Resources Department or so, not much is being debated on the after effects of rampant drilling of ground water by private entities.
Almost all of the natural occurring water resources in the state in the form of springs, streams, rivers etc. are drying up rampantly. The Um-Sawli rivulet in New Shillong area which could have been made a major source to draw drinking water to supplement the city’s rising needs, has also been left open for encroachment. The Umkhen source manned by the SMB needs upgradation such that it remains sustainable in the years to come, else this will also turn otherwise. No fact finding mechanism has been opted by the state to identify the root cause of such effect which led to depletion of natural sources. The important sources of water seen till the start of this millennia, which comprised the main rivulets have completely dried up in the last decade itself.
In Shillong, most sources of water have also disappeared and those which are seen flowing during the monsoons remain dry during winters. What factors attribute to such changes is hard to define unless there is collective responsibility taken by all to learn the reasons thereof. The future of water is grim and for ordinary mortals getting a bucket of water will be a blessing and a patronage and without it their lives will be an accursed one.
What is understood from various laws available in the country is that underground water belongs to the people as water is a common property resource, but here in Meghalaya anyone can drill ground water at his or her will. In the recent past the district authority had issued a notification to all those who owned tube wells to report to the office, but the reason why such information is being sought is not known till date.
For instance, in Laitumkhrah locality a letter was received from the PHE, that drilling of underground water should not be encouraged by the Dorbar since it affects the stability of ground water. There was heated debate amongst the stakeholders, which later led the Dorbar Shnong to ban drilling within its jurisdiction; other dorbars also followed suit. What resulted later was the rising discontentment between those seeking permission to drill and the objection from Dorbar authorities, since many did manage to get a nod from the district authorities to drill for water. But whether the groundwater recharge mechanism has been made mandatory for such units, is a question left for all to deliberate upon.
How far has the state achieved in its objective of rain water harvesting? Has the public been made aware of its importance? Is there a system for checks and balances in place especially for urban areas? What about the sewerage system? What technology has the state contemplated to adopt so that the grey water gets separated from the black water for reuse? Are we even heading towards that direction? What about the unregulated dumping of solid waste and untreated water from households, markets, medical facilities and industrial units. Who is actually monitoring this aspect? When shall we reclaim our rivers and rivulets? Will the state & the custodians of our natural resources the ADC’s lead the way by actions not just by wasting funds on short term action and plaques to hang.
The recent breakdown of the water supply line at Laitjem area has choked the supply line to the city for almost five days which also prompted the legislator from North Shillong to be wary of such shortage. This was of course expected to be the prime agenda for all legislators of Shillong city to undertake as water is fundamental to life. However, politics is yet to find its way to such an important issue. Our representatives need to come out of that pre-statehood agitation mood and start performing sensibly. Our state will turn fifty soon and water will be more scarce. By then, we can expect that not much water will be left for us to agitate and demand except to crave for a drop of water to quench our thirst.
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