Editorial
Water woes
Get WASA pumps working
It's hot, it's humid and it's the month of Ramadan. People are tired and at the end of the day the basic necessity that makes life livable isn't available. Different parts of the capital are suffering from acute water crisis despite the promise of smooth water supply from the authorities.
The water crisis has arisen reportedly from power shortages that leave many water pumps inoperative. But really, is that a plausible explanation? Power shortages do not last all day. More than 300 of 590 WASA pumps remain idle. Some officials blame low voltage. PDB is regularly staging load shedding in different areas to conserve and redirect power. So where is the power going?
For all we know, the demand tends to be high during the dry season, which usually extends from March to May. But this is August, far off the dry season. Many residents also complain that when they contact WASA offices, no one answers the phone. To exacerbate the situation, in certain areas like Azampur, Basabo, Madartek, and old town, people protest that what little water they do get reeks of filth from sewers. These issues are a daily disturbing splatter against minimum semblance of a civilized lifestyle.
For starters, more water sources need to be tapped to ensure people get their basic need. In the meantime, WASA needs to stick to its promises that include speedy availability of water tanks and trolleys, plastic water tanks in public places, 24-hour complaint service and special generators to keep its pumps running during power cuts. Let words translate to action.
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