Chittoor launches summer plan for drinking water crisis

Chittoor district officials are preparing for the upcoming summer to tackle drinking water shortages. District Collector Sumit Kumar met with representatives from various departments, including Rural Water Supply (RWS) and Panchayat Raj. He emphasized the need for quick actions to ensure a steady supply of safe drinking water. Kumar asked officials to identify villages that may face water issues as summer approaches. He highlighted the importance of maintaining overhead water tanks and called for regular monitoring at the mandal level. The Collector also urged staff to raise public awareness about practices that could contaminate water, such as open defecation. Moreover, he instructed field staff to keep all water units clean by the end of March. Officials must submit geotagged photos as evidence of completed cleaning work. Kumar warned that damaged pipelines pose a risk of contamination and can lead to waterborne diseases. He called for immediate repairs to any leaks. Officials reported that they have already repaired 233 out of 308 dysfunctional hand pumps identified recently. They also fixed 190 pipeline leaks and addressed issues with 221 pump sets, leaving only four units still needing repair. The Collector mentioned the importance of identifying villages in forested areas experiencing water shortages and ensuring they receive regular water tanker supplies until further notice.