The Indian Express 20.08.2012
Water wastage: 1,002 challans by civic body fetch Rs 20 lakh
The Municipal Corporation has issued 1,002 challans against city residents wasting water as compared to just two last year. With the amount of fine being increased to Rs 2,000 this year, an amount of more than Rs 20 lakh was collected by the civic body.
The Municipal Corporation holds special drives in the peak summer — from April till June — for checking misuse of water. Washing of cars and courtyards using hosepipes or watering of lawns is banned during morning in these months. Challans are also issued in case of leakage from coolers. A total of 14 teams were constituted by the civic body for conducting checks in different sectors.
In the past, the Municipal Corporation issued notices, but not issued challans in such a large number. During the special drive last year, two challans were issued. In 2010, the number of challans was 52 while in 2009 the number stood at 16. This year instead of just issuing notices, more than 1,000 residents were challaned. The amount of fine was also increased this year from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000 with the aim of making this a deterrent.
Superintending Engineer (Public Health) R C Diwan says the challans issued this year were more than the previous years. “The aim was to ensure that people do not waste water. During the peak summer months, the demand for water is high and complaints of low-water pressure are received from the residents staying in the upper storeys. Wastage has to be prevented to ensure that people get water for their basic needs,” he adds.
However, with the city receiving good rainfall, the demand for water has also reduced. Officials claim that there is almost a 50 per cent decrease in the demand and the water pressure on the upper storeys is sufficient since water is not required for watering of lawns or filling coolers due to the decrease in the day temperature.
Tertiary treated water in the pipeline
The civic body has completed the construction of the underground water reservoir in Sector 48. With the inauguration of the reservoir, gardens and greenbelts from sectors 48 to 56 would receive supply of tertiary treated water. This would facilitate saving drinking water. The housing societies in these areas which want tertiary treated water for irrigation can apply for a connection with the Municipal Corporation. With the southern sectors housing a substantial population of the city, the supply of tertiary treated water is expected to ease out the water woes, especially for the residents of the upper storeys.
