Indian Express 15.09.2010
For equal water distribution, BMC plans multi-crore valve project
Stuti Shukla Tags : water, corporation Posted: Wed Sep 15 2010, 06:48 hrs
Mumbai: To ensure equitable distribution of water, particularly in areas far away from pumping stations where pressure is low, and arrest water spillage during pipe bursts, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning a multi-crore project to replace pipeline valves at all important spots. Though the new valves cost almost 10 times more than the ones in use, the civic body is hoping to tackle the problem after installing flow-control valves. Moreover, these valves will replace those at starting points of outlet pipelines from all reservoirs in the city.
The proposal for buying flow control valves was first tabled in 2007, but has been repeatedly rejected citing high costs. But areas at the fag ends of the supply line receive poor water supply, the BMC is left with no other option, say civic officials.
Deputy hydraulic engineer of the BMC, Pramod Guhe, said the distribution network relies on gravity to a great extent because of which areas at the fag ends of the pipelines usually don’t receive sufficient water or receive water at very low pressure despite having full supply. “Even after the water cuts have been lifted in this season, the problems faced by the fag end areas continue. The primary reason is that the pressure in the pipeline is not regulated; low lying areas and areas on the plain level receive water through the force of gravity while areas on an elevated portion get less water owing to low pressure. The flow control valves are designed in such a way that the upstream and downstream pressure will be regulated to supply equal quantities of water to all areas,” said Guhe.
While valves in use cost between Rs 10 lakh and Rs.25 lakh, a flow meter valve— imported from Germany, UK and China— will cost Rs.1.5 crore. The BMC has invited expressions of interest from three companies from the above countries since such valves are not made indigenously.
Moreover, these valves will help hydraulic officials to quickly isolate a pipeline at the time of a burst. “Despite spending lakhs of rupees on valves, the existing ones erode within no time and even when the valves are closed the water keeps gushing in through open slits. This is why we cannot repair pipelines for hours. With the installation of new valves, we will be able to achieve complete water tight isolation, which will reduce the time taken to repair water pipelines,” said a civic official.
While current valve operations generate over 200 decibels of sound in its vicinity, the flow control valves will cut down the noise level to 70 dBs.
