In a significant boost for urban water management, Coimbatore has reported a dramatic reduction in the wastage of precious drinking water, thanks to an ongoing round-the-clock supply initiative. The project has successfully curbed losses that once plagued the city's distribution system.
A Dramatic Drop in Water Wastage
Officials reveal that before the intervention, a staggering 40% of the total drinking water supplied to Coimbatore was being lost. This loss was primarily due to two factors: frequent pipeline damages and the water usage patterns of residents. The implementation of the 24x7 drinking water supply project has turned the tide, slashing the wastage figure down to 16.8%. This marks a substantial reduction of 23.2% in lost water.
However, this positive change is currently concentrated in the core city areas where the project has been successfully executed. The project is being implemented and managed by SUEZ, a French firm, which is responsible for the water distribution system across 60 old wards in the city.
Changing Habits and Boosting Revenue
The benefits extend beyond just conservation. The Coimbatore City Corporation, led by Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran, states that the per capita water consumption rate has also seen a healthy decline. It has fallen from 135 litres per person per day to 110 litres. This indicates that citizens have become more mindful and efficient in their water usage.
Commissioner Prabakaran directly links reduced wastage to improved municipal finances. "Wasted water is referred to as non-revenue water," he explained. "Pipeline damages were a reason for the wastage. Wastage has reduced in areas where the 24x7 water supply project is implemented." This efficiency has translated into a notable revenue jump. Annual earnings from water supply have risen to ₹44 crore, up from the previous ₹32 crore.
Why Did Consumption Patterns Change?
A senior corporation official, speaking on condition of anonymity, shed light on the behavioral shift among residents. Previously, with water supplied only at fixed intervals, people tended to hoard water. "Residents were storing water in every possible container, often more than their actual needs," the official said. This stored water would then be used for non-drinking purposes like bathing during each supply cycle, leading to higher overall consumption.
The 24x7 supply has eliminated the need for such excess storage. "Now that the residents are getting water round the clock... there is no need to store water in excess. So, the water wastage and consumption rates have come down," the official added.
Tech-Driven Transparency and Project Timeline
The project has also introduced technological rigor to combat another old problem: faulty meter readings and violations. The old meter system was often compromised, with residents sometimes reporting lower readings. SUEZ's new system has tackled this effectively.
Meter readers are now assigned to random locations and are required to upload geo-tagged photos of themselves at each residence, along with the meter reading. This process makes it virtually impossible to falsify the data, ensuring accurate billing and accountability.
Regarding the project's completion, the initial deadline of June 2023 was extended due to various setbacks. Commissioner Prabakaran now expects the project to be fully completed by March 2026. He confirmed that 90% of the work is presently complete, signaling that the final phase is underway.
Coimbatore's experience serves as a promising model for other Indian cities grappling with water loss and inefficient distribution, proving that infrastructure upgrades combined with changed public behavior can yield substantial economic and environmental dividends.
