The Pioneer  24.08.2010

Div Commissioner witnesses water purification techniques

Staff Reporter | Bhopal

The Bhopal and Narmadapuram divisional commissioner Manoj Srivastava witnessed the processes based on organic techniques meant for removing pollutants from the water bodies, water treatment, controlling of water odour, on Monday.

On the occasion, Srivastava stated that various processes of bio-technology should be used for controlling pollutants and odour emanating from water sources.

The divisional commissioner stated that controlling pollution in water bodies is a challenge. He added that the modern organic technology could be beneficial in tackling the growing menace of water pollution.

The representatives of private company RUTU Bio-systems informed the divisional commissioner about the organic product Kampra and functioning of this product. The company representatives also informed about Clonil (Chlorine Dioxide), the product meant for water purification. Significantly, Clonil is 1000 times more efficient than the normal purifier chlorine. Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing, Mumbai has approved all these products.

The Times of India  17.08.2010

PCMC uses water from purification plant to water gardens

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is making optimum use of its water resources as it ensures that waste water generated at the purification plant in Nigdi does not go down the drain, but is used for gardening purpose. Around 3.5 MLD (million litres per day) or 35 lakh litres of water is used for gardening purposes at the Durga Devi hills and 12 other gardens in the nearby areas.

Speaking to TOI, Pravin Tupe, joint city engineer, PCMC, said, "There is a need for full-utilisation of water, and reduce its wastage. The water supply department through the utilisation of the waste water generated from the water purification plants for gardening is setting an example for the public to prevent wastage of water."

The PCMC draws 380 MLD water from Ravet and treats it at the water purification plant at Nigdi. According to civic officials, the waste water from the purification plant at Nigdi is nothing but backwash water which is highly muddy and is not potable. At the water purification plant, there are 40 filter beds containing sand through which the water is passed for filtration.

The mud particles settle between the sand. If the mud is not regularly cleaned fills the gaps between the sand particles and the filtration process comes to a stop. As a result, each bed has to be cleaned by backwashing after every three days. Every day one-third of the total 40 beds are cleaned, the officials added. The PCMC requires around 3.5 MLD water for washing the filter beds. This water is sent to the sump from where some of it is pumped to Durgadevi tekdi garden and the remaining water is sent to Bhakti-Shakti chowk.

Speaking to TOI, B N Gaikwad, garden superintendent, PCMC, said, "The water from the purification plants is utilised by the garden department to water the plants in Durgadevi tekdi garden and 10 to 12 other gardens in the Pradhikaran area located along Spine road and other roads."

Incidentally, the Pune Municipal Corporation is also working on a plan to recycle backwash water from the Parvati Water Works. Around 35 MLD water would be recycled and used, say civic officials.