The looming drinking water crisis in the city might result in a water supply shutdown once a week, if the municipal corporation accepts a suggestion by one of its former hydraulic engineers.
“It can be implemented on a pilot basis, and later extended for a week or fortnight if the situation seems out of control,” said Anand Deodhar, who once handled the water department.
The corporation supplies about 3,000 million litres of water every day to 108 zones at different times throughout the day and night.
Deodhar suggested that these zones could be divided into seven groups — two in the island city, two in the eastern suburbs and three in the western suburbs — and water supply can be stopped in each zone once a week, a fortnight or a month.
Civic officials have not yet decided to go ahead with the suggestion.
“This can be considered but political will is needed to implement it,” said a civic official from the water department, requesting anonymity.
Anil Diggikar, additional municipal commissioner, said, “I did not got any such suggestion, but we are considering making combinations of zones to implement the cuts.”
The corporation is also considering taking the help of spiritual gurus who will appeal to the people to save water.
“Nowadays people listen more to spiritual gurus than to politicians,” said an official from the water department, requesting anonymity.