The News Review:

- Water runs out in flood-hit areas
- National approach to water
- Pipeline damaged, water supply hit
- Civic workers to stop water supply

Water runs out in flood-hit areas
BBC News – Jul 22, 2007
"This was very, very intense rainfall, with five inches in 24 hours in some areas, even some of the best defences are going to be overwhelmed," he added. Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach 2bn. Water supplies in north Gloucestershire were running out on Sunday evening after a treatment plant flooded. Severn Trent Water urged people not to panic and to do all they could to conserve water. Emergency services in Gloucester are also using sandbags to protect the Walham electricity substation, but 450 homes in Tewkesbury are already without power, along with 150 in Gloucester and 150 in Evesham. Electricity supplier Central Networks has advised customers to ring 0800 328 1111 to report loss of supply. Water has also reportedly begun to infiltrate 12th century Tewkesbury Abbey, after the town itself was cut off.

National approach to water
NEWS.com.au – Jul 22, 2007
The BCA believes it is time for governments, through forums such as the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) representing federal and state leaders, to develop a national strategy for ensuring reliable and adequate water supplies in the long-term. This view was echoed at the recent National Water Commission Stakeholder Forum in Canberra where participants, including those from industry, state governments, environment and the water sector, highlighted the need for a national policy framework for water and a stronger focus on urban water supply and management. All options to increase water supply should be considered and evaluated on their relative merits. It is essential that there is a transparent and thorough process to review all water source options along with their economic and environmental costs. Picking a solution without a long-term strategic review and assessment process will only lead to further problems in years to come. Allowing market forces rather than political expediency to determine the best use of water, we can allocate water for environmental preservation and guarantee our human water supplies into the future. A commitment by COAG to expand the current National Water Initiative, which has worked effectively in rural areas, to include a renewed effort on urban water reform for the long term is required.

Pipeline damaged, water supply hit
Hindu – Jul 22, 2007
The pipeline was damaged when it was hit by a Corporation earthmover engaged in desilting Kottai Vaical, a major drain, near the Karur Bypass Road. The damaged pipe originating from the Corporation’s Main Pumping Station on the Cauvery river bed feeds the Marakkadai, Woraiyur and Viragupettai overhead water tanks in the city. Water supply will remain suspended to Marakkadai, Madurai Road, Pallivasal, Muslim Street, Poonthottam, West Boulevard Road, Big Bazaar Street, Viragupettai, East Boulevard Road, Varaganeri, Gandhi Market, Karuvattupettai, Anna Nagar, Tharanallur, Alanganathapuram, Vasantha Nagar, Woraiyur, Puthur, Kumaran Nagar, Srinvasa Nagar, Ramalinga Nagar, Uyyakondan Thirumalai, Shanmuga Nagar, Cantonment, Melapudur, Junction, Ponnagar, Karumandapam and all areas between Eda Street and Anna Statue near Chinthamani. Repair under way Corporation engineers were engaged in replacing the damaged portion of the pipe. A huge quantity of silt and drain water had to be removed from the spot before the pipeline could be replaced. An earthmover has been pressed into service to remove the silt and sewage was being pumped out.

Civic workers to stop water supply
Hindu – Jul 22, 2007
Anilkumar, who is the municipal administrator and various political parties to the employees to withdraw their strike in the light of the efforts being made by the Government to resolve the issue, seem to have no impact on them. The situation may worsen when the employees stop water supply from Sunday though the people are already feeling the impact of the strike. Garbage clearance has come to a standstill in the city. People of Gandhi Bazaar, Shivappa Naik Market, Nehru Road and Bus Stand areas are facing hardship because of this.