30 With the rising temperatures marking the arrival of summers, the city is all set to sizzle in the scorching heat. As the sun shines in all its fury, water becomes the elixir of life. The demand increases for both domestic and irrigation purposes. Along comes a host of problems like low water pressure, taps running dry and water supply not reaching the top floors of houses. The Municipal Corporation has started gearing up to tackle the situation and facilitate uninterrupted water supply to the residents. Monitoring The MC officials have already started monitoring various sectors. Checks are being made to apprise the water needs of different areas. The various problems arising due to a possible shortage situation are being ascertained. Accordingly, a plan will be prepared to tackle water supply. At present, the water supply is for an average of 12 to 16 hours a day, while in some sectors water is available for around 18 hours daily. The water supply in the city is divided into seven zones for the purpose of distribution, including the town of Manimajra. The zoning of Chandigarh has been made keeping in view the slope of the land from north to south. Further sub-zoning within the zones has also been necessitated due to low-pressure complaints and higher demand than the supply/availability with the system. Restrictions on usage Summers will also see restrictions being made on the use of running water for washing cars as well as for watering of lawns. May onwards, people who are found indulging in such activities will be challaned and a fine will be imposed. Like the civilian population, the green belts and grounds in the city need more water this season. A proposal for the use of tertiary treated water for irrigation purposes has been doing the rounds for some time. Instead of fresh water being used for the maintenance of grounds and lawns in complexes like PGI and Panjab University, tertiary treated water can be supplied. This will help in conservation and appropriate utilisation of water. Water sources The main source of water for the city is the Bhakra Main Line. Since the level of Bhakra Main Line at Kajauli is lower than the ground level of the Water Works, Sector 39, Chandigarh, the project has been based on pumping of water against gravity from Bhakra Main Line to Sector-39 Water Works. There are also around 200 tube wells in the periphery of the city as well as Manimajra. In the MC House meeting held recently, an amount of Rs 352.30 lakh was approved for the replacement of machinery for the Augmentation Water Supply Scheme Phase (I) at Kajauli Water Works. The problem of pilferage of water was also discussed, and this problem was found to be especially present in the group housing societies. It was suggested that the water supply be made to the housing societies and distribution to the flats be left to the respective societies. However, no decision was taken. Official Speak Chief Engineer of the Municipal Corporation S K Bansal says, "The water supply is sufficient to deal with the summer season. There will be no shortage. We are getting water from Kajauli and there are around 200 tubewells. However, we will impose a ban on washing of cars and watering of lawns. This ban is imposed from May 1 to June 30.' Mayor Pardeep Chhabbra informs, "The MC officials are monitoring the supply of water in different sectors. We would ensure that problems like low water pressure or water not reaching the top floors of houses does not arise.'