Water leakage from major and distributary canals in Karnataka is as high as 18 tmc in a period ranging from 162 to 250 days according to a recent study conducted by the Water Resources Department. There were many reasons for the leakage including poor design of the canals. Realising that the loss of water is denying farmers irrigation facilities, the department has decided to spend about Rs 90 crore to strengthen the canals to check the leakage.