Nagpur Municipal Corporation Aims for 27.7 MLD Water Savings
In response to a water crisis, Nagpur Municipal Corporation unveils a comprehensive water conservation plan targeting significant daily savings.
NMC plans to save 27.7 million litres of water daily through various initiatives.
Key strategies include recycling sewage water and repairing leaks.
Reservoir levels are critically low, prompting urgent conservation measures.
In a proactive response to the escalating water crisis, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has introduced a detailed water conservation action plan aimed at achieving savings of 27.7 million litres per day (MLD). The plan was presented to revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, highlighting the urgency of addressing the city's dwindling water resources due to insufficient rainfall.
Currently, NMC supplies approximately 786 MLD of water to Nagpur, with significant contributions from the Kanhan river and the Pench system. However, reservoir levels have plummeted compared to last year, prompting the civic body to explore innovative methods for conserving drinking water and alleviating pressure on existing water sources.
A major component of the conservation strategy involves the reuse of treated sewage water from ten sewage treatment plants (STPs), which is expected to contribute 20 MLD towards the savings goal. NMC plans to facilitate the supply of recycled water for non-potable uses, such as construction and vehicle washing, by installing hydrants at these plants. Additionally, the corporation aims to encourage bulk consumers, including railways and hospitals, to switch to recycled or well water, potentially saving another 2 MLD.
Leakage repairs have already resulted in savings of 3.8 MLD, with plans to address further leaks in feeder pipelines to achieve an additional 3 MLD. NMC is also taking measures to prevent pipeline damage during construction, ensuring that agencies obtain prior permission for excavation work. The disconnection of illegal water connections has saved 0.18 MLD, with further disconnections planned to enhance savings.
As the city grapples with low reservoir levels—Totladoh reservoir currently at just 33.66% of its capacity—the urgency for effective implementation of these conservation measures is paramount. The combined efforts are projected to save approximately 831 million litres over a month, but success will depend on the extent of recycled water usage and groundwater replacement for potable supplies.
