It is also important that the consumers are informed on how they can save water at
household level. They should be encouraged to inform the public works department
or the concerned municipality whenever they see a leakage or wastage.
Pilot Projects
Before embarking on any large-scale projects to improve a water reticulation network, it is often appropriate to undertake a small-scale project or pilot project to
assess whether or not the proposed procedures are viable. Pilot projects can be used
to improve virtually any aspect of a water utility’s business ranging from metering
to leak location to tariff structures. While some recommendations are made with
regard to possible pilot projects, the list is far from complete, and the water utility
management should add to the list or delete items as appropriate.
Legislation
Legislation is required to support the process of WDM and encourage the use of
water use efficiency in Indian cities. Such legislation can be in the form of regional
laws or local bye-laws. Such legislation also requires maximum support from the
municipal officers as well as all political leaders if it is to be implemented successfully. There should be both incentives for adopting water efficient practices as
well as penalties for wasting. Proper legislation is therefore important to facilitate
water use efficiency.
Rainwater Water Harvesting for Water Conservation
Efforts should be made in promoting and implementing the harvesting of rainwater
from roof tops in order to recharge the groundwater. Although the success of the
efforts made by several Indian cities is commendable, the results are difficult to
quantify. The publicity accompanying these efforts has created a greater awareness
for water conservation throughout the country.
Sewage Reuse
The scope for reuse of treated sewage is becoming a key issue in most large cities in
India. The scope for using treated sewage for either industrial or agricultural purposes
is enormous and should not be overlooked. It is recommended that a scoping exercise
is undertaken to assess the possibilities for sewage treatment options and assess its
benefits along with possible revenue generation from its reuse. The possibility of
groundwater contamination, especially in areas where tube wells are used, should be
taken into account when assessing sewage reuse. For instance, in the city of Indore, it
is estimated that it costs between 7 and 15 rupees/kl to supply treated water and that
the cost of treating the sewage to a level suitable for discharge into the local stream is
approximately 1 rupee per kl of water (UN-Habitat Report (2006)). Clearly, the
volume of sewage is likely to increase significantly, and the possibility of increasing
the capacity of the sewage treatment works is a distinct possibility.
Retrofit Internal Plumbing
Retrofitting is the repair and/or replacement of various household fittings that can
attribute to high water loss or usage. General retrofitting of leaking plumbing
fittings is usually more successful in public buildings and schools than in private
38
K. Singh and S. Mahanta
household level. They should be encouraged to inform the public works department
or the concerned municipality whenever they see a leakage or wastage.
Pilot Projects
Before embarking on any large-scale projects to improve a water reticulation network, it is often appropriate to undertake a small-scale project or pilot project to
assess whether or not the proposed procedures are viable. Pilot projects can be used
to improve virtually any aspect of a water utility’s business ranging from metering
to leak location to tariff structures. While some recommendations are made with
regard to possible pilot projects, the list is far from complete, and the water utility
management should add to the list or delete items as appropriate.
Legislation
Legislation is required to support the process of WDM and encourage the use of
water use efficiency in Indian cities. Such legislation can be in the form of regional
laws or local bye-laws. Such legislation also requires maximum support from the
municipal officers as well as all political leaders if it is to be implemented successfully. There should be both incentives for adopting water efficient practices as
well as penalties for wasting. Proper legislation is therefore important to facilitate
water use efficiency.
Rainwater Water Harvesting for Water Conservation
Efforts should be made in promoting and implementing the harvesting of rainwater
from roof tops in order to recharge the groundwater. Although the success of the
efforts made by several Indian cities is commendable, the results are difficult to
quantify. The publicity accompanying these efforts has created a greater awareness
for water conservation throughout the country.
Sewage Reuse
The scope for reuse of treated sewage is becoming a key issue in most large cities in
India. The scope for using treated sewage for either industrial or agricultural purposes
is enormous and should not be overlooked. It is recommended that a scoping exercise
is undertaken to assess the possibilities for sewage treatment options and assess its
benefits along with possible revenue generation from its reuse. The possibility of
groundwater contamination, especially in areas where tube wells are used, should be
taken into account when assessing sewage reuse. For instance, in the city of Indore, it
is estimated that it costs between 7 and 15 rupees/kl to supply treated water and that
the cost of treating the sewage to a level suitable for discharge into the local stream is
approximately 1 rupee per kl of water (UN-Habitat Report (2006)). Clearly, the
volume of sewage is likely to increase significantly, and the possibility of increasing
the capacity of the sewage treatment works is a distinct possibility.
Retrofit Internal Plumbing
Retrofitting is the repair and/or replacement of various household fittings that can
attribute to high water loss or usage. General retrofitting of leaking plumbing
fittings is usually more successful in public buildings and schools than in private
38
K. Singh and S. Mahanta