The Times of India 29.10.2010
Panchkula parks drink up residents' water
PANCHKULA: Keeping Panchkula green is leaving residents high and dry. The irrigation demand for various parks in the city is eating into the drinking water quota of residents, as the horticulture department is not using tertiary water (recycled water that is not potable) from sewerage treatment plant in Sector 20. And despite this, green belts are not properly maintained as supply of potable water is inadequate for gardening.
Sources in horticulture department said there were 11 gardens here spread over about 168 acre. "The city's green cover needs over seven lakh gallons per day at a consumption rate of over 5,000 gallons per acre. Around 112 acre in different sectors of Panchkula falls under green belts that includes gardens and lawns," they added.
The horticulture wing of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) provides fresh water to almost all the major gardens which has caused domestic water crises here. The city also loses 20% to 22% water to non-revenue sources, like fountains, unmetered supply in colonies, and 10% to 12% to leakage from pipes and other sources. Citizens' Welfare Association president SK Nayyar told TOI that water treatment plant run by HUDA horticulture wing was in a shambles.
"Citizens are witnessing gallons of fresh water being wasted daily in morning as well as evening by the wing. We are already facing water shortage. The horticulture wing should utilise the water treated by the plant... it can at least be used for fountains," said Citizens' Welfare Association president SK Nayyar.
Executive engineer of HUDA horticulture department Preet Mohan said they were recycling water at the treatment plant, but an ongoing construction work at NH-22, Panchkula-Shimla stretch, has halted the process.
He, however, admitted that they were using fresh water for fountains and watering green belts. "The tertiary water lines will be there in the project's phase II, which will take some time to start," Mohan added.
