A small section of the 750-millimeter cast iron rising main pipeline supplying the 54 million liters per day (MLD) water treatment plant near Opa Water Works detached near a mechanical joint at Curti hill, causing water supply disruptions across several areas in four talukas on Monday. The drinking water department initiated repairs on a war footing, and work is expected to be completed by Tuesday, after which water supply will resume, according to Sunil Shet, assistant engineer at Opa Water Works.
Details of the Incident
The 54MLD plant draws raw water through the 750mm CI rising main pipeline. Following the detachment, authorities shut down the plant to carry out repairs. Shet explained that continuous water pressure can loosen and detach pipes over time, leading to such incidents.
Monday’s shutdown has affected the entire Ponda constituency and parts of Marcaim, Priol, Shiroda, Cumbharjua, St Andre, Valpoi, and Dharbandora. Tap water supply has been disrupted since the afternoon in these areas.
Opa Water Treatment Complex
The Opa water treatment complex includes plants with capacities of 8MLD, 55MLD, 72MLD, and 40MLD, which together treat and supply approximately 140 MLD. The main source of water is the Khandepar River, which originates in Karnataka and flows through the Dudhsagar waterfall. The Kalem River from Sanguem joins as a tributary. Opa Water Works, including the Curti plant complex, supplies water by gravity to nearly 95% of Ponda, Tiswadi, and Dharbandora.
Repair and Restoration Efforts
The 54MLD plant is situated at an elevation of about 190 meters. After treatment, water is pumped to the Curti master balancing reservoir (MBR) and then gravity-fed to the MBRs that supply surrounding areas. Shet noted that on Monday morning, misalignment near the rising main pipeline joint was noticed. Staff immediately stopped supplying water and began realigning the pipe to restore normal operations.
