Carrying Capacity of Water Supply in Shimla City

Abstract

The present paper examines the carrying capacity of water supply in Shimla city, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, located in north-western Himalayas. The study is entirely based on secondary data collected at ward level for the period 2011 and 2017. The study reveals that total water demand (2014) is 58.46 million liters per day (MLD) against the system carrying capacity of 54.54 MLD. The gap between demand and supply further increases with system inefficiencies, and as a result, there are consumers who are getting water supply only for about 45 minutes in a day. The present deficit of 3.92 MLD (2014) may amplify a demand of 51.01 MLD in 2041 and 72 MLD in 2071. Resource assessment in the related watersheds namely, Dhalli Catchment, Cherot Nallah, Chair Nallah, Nauti Khad, Ashwani Khad, and Giri River was accomplished using remote sensing techniques and geographic information system (Arc-GIS 10.3). To fulfil the growing water demand of the study area, with gravitating water from upper reach of River Pabbar, lifting water from River Satluj, and rainwater harvesting and reuse of waste water coupled with balance additional water from River Satluj or Giri. The total running water connection of the city is increased from 27,765 in 2013 to 30,995 in 2017. The study also examines the adequacy of storage reservoir, have carrying the 42.75 MLD capacity of water. Finally, the study suggested that the sustained strategy shall take into account the identification of source of supply, collection, transmission, distribution and other related aspects in Shimla city.