Water

Place – Chennai

Year 1992

We used to have hand pumps and fill water using these. This pump was placed in a common location and is shared by the first 5 houses in the compound. The next 5 houses have another pump. We used to have turns in using this and hands used to pain after using them for 30 minutes to an hour. That was the only source of drinking water, then. Well water was the other source for washing, cleaning, etc...Then, the corporation started to send drinking water in tankers and they used to horn at 11 or 12 in the night. I still remember waiting in the queue for filling those 3 containers of water along with mom. I wonder how mom managed all this single handedly, as she had to go to work in the mornings!

After moving to the apartments, this water problem was dealt in a different way. We used to have water from 7.30-7.45 in the mornings and used to fill in how much ever possible. This is the water for the whole day’s usage, be it for drinking and for other purposes such as washing, cleaning, etc...

Year 2000

Then, we used to have internal tanks in the house, which was set in the loft. So, when the water from the pipe is opened, it used to get filled in this tank which will be the storage for us. Cleaning the tank was another maintenance task which used to be carried out once in a month. Dad used to bring in a person and he would remove the tank, clean it and let it dry in the sun. In the evening, he would again come and set it up back in its place. For the water to be stored in the over head tank, we used to have the corporation water connected to the sump. So, as and when we use the hand pump (1 hr per flat), the water used to get collected in the sump and using the motor, we used to fill it in the overhead tank and distribute it to all the flats. Slowly, the corporation water was not sufficient and we used to call up private tankers, who will bring the tanker, fill in the sump and leave. We then had to use the motor to fill it in the over head tank. The cost would be shared equally by all the flats.

Year 2006

          The flat to which we had moved in had no issues with water. Bore was dug deeply and there was no hand pump, filling the sump hassle. The motor was used to fill in the tanks and distribute it evenly to all the flats.

Year 2010

          This flat was chosen since it was close to both our offices. Here, water was charged based on our usage. There were water meters set separately for every flat and along with the maintenance charges, we were charged based on our consumption.

Place-Hyderabad

Year 2011

          We had moved to Hyderabad and it was a new apartment. So, everybody said water shouldn’t be an issue since the bore is dug deep. But in a year’s time, the bore dried up! This water problem mercilessly followed us! Again, tankers were bought and it was shared by all the flats. Only thing missing was that, the rates were not based on the usage and so even if two people were staying, they had to bear the same cost as the one with 6 people stay.

Year 2012

          This is another apartment that we have moved in to. When we surveyed, everybody said, water is not an issue yet and even If there is some shortage, the share will come down as the number of flats are more. Its peak summer here and day temperature easily touches 42 degrees. In order to conserve water, they stop the water from 12 noon to 6pm and again from 9pm to 6am. One way, its compulsive rest from 12 to 6!

The good thing about this method is that we have become so active at home. We get up at 6, take bath, finish cooking, cleaning, washing, etc and store water for the afternoon usage. In the nights, everything is complete by 9 and we go to bed by 10! Early to bed and early to rise is our motto now!

          Is there something seriously wrong in the process or in the implementation? Rain water harvesting is done, there are so many rivers in the country, yet year after year, we have the same problem! If there is no improvement every year, it clearly means that something is fundamentally wrong! We have so many dams and we are ready to let the water go as a waste rather than sharing it with our fellow countrymen! What noble thought is this?! Aren’t there ways to improve? May be, nobody thinks on those grounds. Many people go away to foreign countries on a vacation in summers, to escape from the scorching heat and the water problem! People living in the other countries are scared to come over here due to the same.

          We talk ill about our neighboring states; refuse to share resources with them! Who are we to take ownership of the natural resources? Just because the resources are abundant in one state, doesn’t mean that it belongs to that state alone! Its nature’s gift which is common to everyone! The Government is busy making plans on paper and whoever comes, will do the same! We have so many news channels, media; everybody focuses on the negative points and exaggerates them! Nobody comes forward to provide a solution! Schools and colleges re-open late due to the water scarcity!

          We have seas on all the three sides of our country! Water, water, everywhere but not a drop to drink! Can’t these waters be desalinated? Even then, our politicians play a role, make tenders, want lion’s share in the profit once everything is set up! The one, who toils to set it up, will end up having nothing! Railway stations provide the water at cheap rates from the water plant. If at railway stations, we get water at cheaper rates, why the same is not available in the market? Why is that every time, I need to shell more for a litre of water? What will we give our children in another 10 years time, if the same state continues?

We can survive without food too, but it’s impossible to be alive without drinking water!