Ponda: After approving the availability of 50MLD water for treatment proposed by Opa Water Works, water resources department (WRD) is planning to extend and expand Selaulim–Kalay pipeline to prevent repeated bursts caused by corrosion, seepage and summer evaporation losses.Selaulim dam currently releases 48 MLD into Kalay river, but only about 25–30 MLD reaches Opa. WRD executive engineer Mario Rebello said the proposal is to extend the pipeline up to Opa and increase its diameter to 900 mm, so that Selaulim water can be discharged directly into Khandepar river at Opa, reducing losses en route.Commissioned in 2002, the existing 13-km, 800-mm mild steel pipeline carries Selaulim water to Kalay river, from where it flows by gravity into Khandepar river and then to Opa Water Works for treatment. The pipeline has six sluice valves and 36 air valves. Four 600 HP pumps at Selaulim dam campus are used to discharge 48MLD into Kalay river each summer from mid-March until the monsoon to rejuvenate Khandepar river.Rebello said the number of pumps will remain the same, while the pipeline length is proposed to increase to 31 km.
