Chandrawal WTP breaks down, residents buy water to cook and bathe

New Delhi: Households in Civil Lines, near Hindu Rao Hospital and adjoining areas are spending Rs 150-300 daily on water as technical problems at the Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant has led to a halt in water supply.

In some neighbourhoods, some are turning to public washrooms for non-drinking water.

Among the affected areas are Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar and nearby localities, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, and Rajiendra Nagar, Patel Nagar (East and West), Baljeet Nagar, Prem Nagar, Inderpuri and NDMC areas.

Many residents are walking to nearby localities or queuing up at public taps, often for hours. The combined impact of erratic supply, which has now been replaced by water of unsafe quality, has left families struggling to meet basic daily needs such as cooking and drinking.

Authorities have attributed the disruption to technical issues. Residents said the water crisis has stretched on for days. Some said they had got contaminated water on Thursday morning. “We are buying water by the gallon. There are so many issues, especially over the past few days,” said Om Prakash Verma, 71, describing the mounting costs and the daily uncertainty.

In Paharganj, a resident told TOI that the shortage had disrupted routine life. “Not everyone can afford to buy water. Cooking has become a problem, and people are now dependent on dhabas. Even there, there are long queues for basic meals like dal-roti. Without water, you cannot cook or even wash utensils,” he said. While drinking water is being purchased, some residents are buying cheaper water from public washrooms at Rs 100 per gallon for other household uses, he added.

Rakhi Bandyopadhyay said entire neighbourhoods are affected. “There is no water even for drinking, so we cannot even think about other needs,” she said.

In Dwarka’s Sewak Park, Nitin Agarwal (58) said the issue has persisted for over a year. “Sewer-mixed water is supplied regularly. The supply comes around 1.30 am, and for nearly two hours it is dirty and foul-smelling. People have to stay awake at night, and only after 3 am does clean water come for a short while,” he said.

Residents of Sadar Bazaar’s Rani Jhansi Complex in Motia Khan have also reported similar issues since Sunday. Many pointed out that even when tankers arrive, accessing water is a challenge, especially for elderly residents and working families. “Carrying water up to the third floor is extremely difficult. Younger people somehow manage, but for senior citizens it becomes almost impossible,” a resident said.

In its statement, Delhi Jal Board said the disruption was caused by a sudden shutdown at the Chandrawal WTP after a 600 mm backwash pipeline was damaged on March 22, leading to flooding in the pump house that halted operations. While emergency repairs have been done, subsequent technical faults in the pump sets delayed the restoration of full supply. At present, partial pumping has resumed.

Vishesh Ravi, the Karol Bagh MLA, said in a post on X that the pumps have been repaired and water flow has resumed, with local reservoirs now being filled. “Water supply will begin in all areas by evening,” he said. “As supply is resuming after five days, the water may initially be dirty or the pressure low, but the situation will stabilise within a day or two.”