In a significant step towards efficient water resource management, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) will conduct the city's first comprehensive water audit. The civic body has partnered with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in New Delhi for this initiative.
Scope of the Audit
Experts from NIUA and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Banaras Hindu University (BHU), NIUA's technical partner, will carry out the audit. The exercise will cover key aspects including water generation, transmission systems, performance of water works, metering, non-revenue water (NRW), distribution network, water theft, and unauthorized usage.
Data and Collaboration
A senior MC official stated that the audit requires extensive data, documents, and water indicators. A team from NIUA recently visited the MC and held discussions. The civic body has most of the data ready and will share it along with details of machinery and technology used in the city's water supply.
NIUA experts will provide recommendations for improving water supply and adopting energy-efficient machinery. Plans for new machinery will be based on these inputs, as no major equipment has been procured since 2004, making this assessment crucial for sustainability.
Infrastructure Review Needed
With the cancellation of the 24x7 water supply project, the MC is now considering a comprehensive assessment of the water network. The water assessment component was originally part of that project, so it was not planned separately earlier. Now, the MC must review its decades-old water supply infrastructure.
Assessment Components
- Water generation: Assessment of raw water abstraction and treated water output from water works.
- Transmission system: Evaluation of leakages and inefficiencies in rising mains and bulk transmission pipelines.
- Performance of water works: Assessment of storage reservoirs and pumping stations for operational losses and leakages.
- Metering: Verification of metering accuracy, coverage, and functionality.
- Non-revenue water (NRW): Comprehensive analysis of unbilled consumption, apparent losses, real losses, and unauthorized usage.
- Distribution system: Mapping and assessment of leakages in distribution lines, service lines, and consumer connections.
- Water theft and unauthorized connections: Analysis and approximate quantification of illegal tapping and misuse of supply.
The audit aims to minimize water losses, improve service delivery, and ensure sustainable water management in Chandigarh.
