ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to exempt the thickly-populated G-series sectors from water rationing, a source told Dawn on Tuesday.

The source said water rationing had been started from Friday to utilise the existing reserves of water till next summer but in view of the increasing complaints of water scarcity in the G- series sectors, it was decided to exempt them from water rationing. However, he added, rationing will continue in other parts of the capital.

The source said that water rationing could continue for six or seven months if adequate rains did not occur in the catchment area of Simly Dam. He said the dam was the main source of water for the residents of Islamabad and its water level was declining day by day due to low rains.

The source said about 29 million gallons per day (MGD) was being supplied from Simly Dam these days. He said due to shortage of rains in the current monsoon, the level of the dam had declined to 2,275 feet against the highest level of 2,305 feet.

He said the authority had sufficient water reserves in the month of March, therefore, it ensured abundant supply of water. The source said the water supply directorate had warned the Authority high-ups against lavish supply of water since March but they did not bother. “It is due to excessive supply of water in the previous months that the authority is now facing problems,” the source said.

He said the Authority had already squeezed water supply by 13 million gallons per day (MGD) and now it was supplying a total of 67 MGD against the previous supply of 80 MGD.