Home / Environment / Surat Floods Trigger Water Crisis, SMC Activates New Well
Surat Floods Trigger Water Crisis, SMC Activates New Well
12 Jul
Summary
- SMC activated a new groundwater source at Valak, adding 50 MLD capacity.
- Floodwaters contaminated storage tanks, creating an urgent need for safe water.
- Aquifer mapping was conducted to identify new groundwater sources.
Recent floods in Surat have led to a significant drinking water crisis, prompting the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to increase water supply hours. Floodwaters contaminated numerous underground storage tanks, necessitating draining and disinfection and thus increasing demand for safe water.
To address the disruption caused by the flooding of the Tapi river affecting water treatment plants, SMC activated an additional groundwater source at Valak. The newly operational W-1 well from the French wells project is now supplying an extra 50 million litres per day (MLD).
This groundwater source is naturally filtered and is intended to serve as a dependable emergency buffer, supporting supply when river-based treatment systems are compromised. This initiative aligns with Surat's broader plan to expand its drinking water capacity to meet the demands of its growing population and recently expanded municipal area.
The corporation is also developing alternative groundwater sources, supported by aquifer mapping conducted by CSIR-NGRI. This study used a heli-borne survey and transient electromagnetic technology to identify optimal locations for wells, leading to the plan for two 50 MLD wells at Valak.
