Will our taps get water 24x7?
AMC has short-listed four companies for its highly ambitious project
of providing 24x7 water supply to the city. The civic body will take the
final decision after analysing technologies used by these companies.
Ahmedabad’s topography, dual water supply policy, increasing number of
real estate projects, illegal water connections and high percentage of
water loss pose a heavy challenge before the civic body in realising its
dream of providing continuous water supply to the city.
AMC is carrying out a pilot project in Jodhpur ward at the cost of around Rs25 crore. The pilot project will cover a population of around 1 lakh residents in areas falling within the command areas of eight overhead water tanks in this ward. The civic body had proposed this project in the budget for financial year 2011-’12. While the project may seem impressive as a proposal, implementation will be an uphill task.
Maintaining water pressure
Ahmedabad’s topography is highly uneven. As a result, it is very difficult to maintain enough pressure to supply water to citizens living in the farthest corners of the city. At present, AMC provides water supply for just two hours a day and yet receives several complaints about inadequate water supply in many areas.
“We have enough water resources, but the distribution network needs to be set right. AMC has taken many steps like changing pipelines and increasing water distribution centres but the problem persists in many areas,” said an AMC official. He also said that maintaining the water pressure will be an extremely difficult task. “What will the residents prefer—getting water with adequate pressure for just two hours daily or getting water all day at low pressure?” the official asked.
On the other hand, another official is of the view that people complain about low pressure as they get water for just two hours. “If people get water throughout the day, pressure will automatically improve, time will not be a constraint for water accumulation,” he suggested.
Higher percentage of leakages
Around 20-25% of the total water supply to the city goes waste due to leakages. The leakages may be in the pipelines or at the user end. “If the civic body wants to implement 24x7 water supply system in the city, it needs to bring down water loss to less than 15%,” said AMC officials.
Illegal water connections
Illegal water connections across the city also pose a grave problem. “Although it is very difficult to get the exact number of illegal water connections, 5-7% of the total connections are believed to be illegal,” said sources in the AMC. These illegal connections will also be a deterrent for the project.
Creating different zones
The AMC will have to divide the city into different zones based on types of buildings, activities and water usage. In commercial areas, maximum water supply is needed during office hours, while more hours of water supply will be needed in residential areas. Similarly, usage patterns are also different in high-rise, low-rise and slum areas. Generally, grey water quantity will be higher in high-end residential schemes compared to slum areas, but water wastage is likely to be more in the latter.
Political support and public acceptance
Po litical support will be a key factor in implementing this project. Water meters are a must for 24x7 water supply in the city. Without meters, it will be very difficult to carry out water and energy audit. Once water meters are installed, people will have to pay for water on the basis of usage. Till now people pay only water tax, which is not a direct charge. As a result, this project may witness protest from people in the initial phase. “Political support will be needed to convince people about the benefits of this project,” said officials.
Replacing water pipes
AMC will have to replace PVC pipes in new west zone with ductile iron pipes and set up more overhead water tanks in the city.
While it may seem a daunting task, once implemented, 24x7 water supply system will help save water which is a precious natural resource. It has been observed that water wastage comes down drastically when people have to pay for it. “In many residential societies, people have installed meters voluntarily.
The results show that water usage has gone down by more than 30% in these societies,” said officials. Moreover, people will not have to worry about water storage.
AMC is carrying out a pilot project in Jodhpur ward at the cost of around Rs25 crore. The pilot project will cover a population of around 1 lakh residents in areas falling within the command areas of eight overhead water tanks in this ward. The civic body had proposed this project in the budget for financial year 2011-’12. While the project may seem impressive as a proposal, implementation will be an uphill task.
Maintaining water pressure
Ahmedabad’s topography is highly uneven. As a result, it is very difficult to maintain enough pressure to supply water to citizens living in the farthest corners of the city. At present, AMC provides water supply for just two hours a day and yet receives several complaints about inadequate water supply in many areas.
“We have enough water resources, but the distribution network needs to be set right. AMC has taken many steps like changing pipelines and increasing water distribution centres but the problem persists in many areas,” said an AMC official. He also said that maintaining the water pressure will be an extremely difficult task. “What will the residents prefer—getting water with adequate pressure for just two hours daily or getting water all day at low pressure?” the official asked.
On the other hand, another official is of the view that people complain about low pressure as they get water for just two hours. “If people get water throughout the day, pressure will automatically improve, time will not be a constraint for water accumulation,” he suggested.
Higher percentage of leakages
Around 20-25% of the total water supply to the city goes waste due to leakages. The leakages may be in the pipelines or at the user end. “If the civic body wants to implement 24x7 water supply system in the city, it needs to bring down water loss to less than 15%,” said AMC officials.
Illegal water connections
Illegal water connections across the city also pose a grave problem. “Although it is very difficult to get the exact number of illegal water connections, 5-7% of the total connections are believed to be illegal,” said sources in the AMC. These illegal connections will also be a deterrent for the project.
Creating different zones
The AMC will have to divide the city into different zones based on types of buildings, activities and water usage. In commercial areas, maximum water supply is needed during office hours, while more hours of water supply will be needed in residential areas. Similarly, usage patterns are also different in high-rise, low-rise and slum areas. Generally, grey water quantity will be higher in high-end residential schemes compared to slum areas, but water wastage is likely to be more in the latter.
Political support and public acceptance
Po litical support will be a key factor in implementing this project. Water meters are a must for 24x7 water supply in the city. Without meters, it will be very difficult to carry out water and energy audit. Once water meters are installed, people will have to pay for water on the basis of usage. Till now people pay only water tax, which is not a direct charge. As a result, this project may witness protest from people in the initial phase. “Political support will be needed to convince people about the benefits of this project,” said officials.
Replacing water pipes
AMC will have to replace PVC pipes in new west zone with ductile iron pipes and set up more overhead water tanks in the city.
While it may seem a daunting task, once implemented, 24x7 water supply system will help save water which is a precious natural resource. It has been observed that water wastage comes down drastically when people have to pay for it. “In many residential societies, people have installed meters voluntarily.
The results show that water usage has gone down by more than 30% in these societies,” said officials. Moreover, people will not have to worry about water storage.
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