In a bid to tackle Delhi’s perennial water scarcity, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) proudly announced on Monday that it had surpassed its summer water production target, generating 1,002 million gallons per day (MGD) of water.
This achievement follows a 23-day period of reduced water production. Despite this feat, Delhiites continue to grapple with water scarcity, highlighting underlying challenges in the city’s water management system. The DJB’s summer bulletin reveals a rise in water levels at the Wazirabad pond, enabling the water treatment plant to operate beyond its capacity, producing 134.8 MGD against its allotted 131 MGD. Additionally, the supply of raw Yamuna water from Haryana has increased steadily. However, these improvements have not translated into relief for all residents.
Residents in various parts of the city, including Model Town in north Delhi and South Extension II in south Delhi, voiced their grievances over persistent water shortages. Despite protests and demonstrations, many households still rely on water tankers due to insufficient piped water supply. One longstanding issue plaguing Delhi’s water management is the problem of ‘non-revenue water’ – water produced but lost during transmission. While the DJB estimates a loss of around 47%, the Delhi economic survey of 2023-24 suggests a higher figure of 58%. Recent statements by officials indicate conflicting figures, further complicating efforts to address this issue.
The city’s water transmission and distribution infrastructure, comprising numerous underground reservoirs and kilometers of pipelines, faces challenges due to age-related deterioration, lack of maintenance, and unauthorized connections. Despite efforts to detect and repair leaks using advanced technology, such as helium leakage detection, the problem persists. The DJB’s achievements in surpassing production targets underscore progress in water management efforts. However, the persistence of water scarcity and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for sustained investment and comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable access to water for all residents of the capital city.
