For 24x7 supply, water reforms in BMC's pipeline

Rs 356 crore earmarked to repair/replace pipes over 2 yrs; plugged leakages
will save 160 MLD
 SAYLI UDAS

B ETTER quality, lesser wastage and 24-hour supply-aims set, the BMC has
decided to revamp the distribution system and replace the 80year-old
pipelines that supply around 3,200 million litres daily (MLD) of water to
the city.

By next month, speciallyappointed agencies will be working the plan.
There are two main parts of the water reforms schedule-a water audit and an
energy audit. Work in some areas has already begun.

"About 20-23 per cent of the water-160 MLD-we draw for Mumbai is wasted in
leakages because of the old pipes and the corrosion in them. We are
appointing an agency, which will work in six zones in Mumbai to detect
leakages,'' said Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, Manu Kumar
Srivastava.

Secondly, Rs 356 crore will be spent over the next two years to minimise the
Unaccounted for Water (UFW) in the 4,000-km long network of pipes. Of this,
Rs 150 crore will be spent this year to replace or repair 417 kms of
pipelines.

"This has to be taken up immediately, since it will minimise the problem of
contamination,'' said Srivastava. ''We'll also save three per cent of water
that is lost in the process of water treatment.'' This in turn means saving
96 MLD of water that takes care of the daily needs of 5-6 lakh people.
The corporation also wants to re-allot water and rework its network in areas
according to the residents' needs, especially since suburbs are growing.
Once wastage is minimised, and other gaps are plugged, water 24x7 will
become a reality, said Srivastava. A beginning will be made in some areas
within a year once the new pipelines are laid.

The BMC is also keen to spend less on pumping water-presently, around 30 MW
is used per day costing the civic body Rs 100-125 crore annually. "When the
state is going through a power crisis, we must also contribute to minimise
our usage. An agency has already been appointed and their recommendations
will be in by November,'' said Srivastava.

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