NMC to charge for groundwater too

Nagpur: In a bid to curb wastage of water and earn revenue too, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) proposes to charge citizens for using groundwater, on the lines of tap water.
A system to measure the groundwater usage is being prepared and the rates to apply will be finalized soon.
NMC executive engineer Shweta Banerjee, in a press conference held on Tuesday, said new bylaws will be framed to make groundwater payable. “NMC is already levying water benefit component in property tax for those who are using groundwater and not tap water. The civic body is planning to fix slabs on the lines of tap water tariff and install meter to measure groundwater use,” she said.
If implemented, this will be for the first time the citizens will be paying for groundwater. Many commercial establishments, builders, industries and few residences, especially those situated on the city’s outskirts, utilize groundwater through wells or borewells.
Chairman of water works consultative committee Vijay Zelke said target is to take action on all illegal water connections within a year. “There are around 30,000 illegal water connections. Drive has been started to either disconnect or regularize illegal water connections. As of now, 812 illegal water connections have been regularized, while 118 disconnected. We have also relaxed norms to give new water connection. Now, anyone can get connection by submitting an affidavit, copy of aadhaar and power bill,” he said.
Stressing on the need to curb use of tap water for non-potable use, Zelke said the NMC has launched Save Water Helpline (8888822700). “We urge the people to take pictures and send them on this number’s WhatsApp whenever they notice any wastage or misuse of tap water. Complaints of tap water being used for washing vehicles, construction activities, flushing sewage lines, neglecting overflow from tanks, use in bars etc will be entertained,” he said.
Banerjee said first warning will be given to those found wasting or misusing tap water followed by disconnection, penalty and FIR. “There are no legal provisions for levying penalty and FIR at present. We are planning to link nuisance detection squad with the drive to enable penalty and FIR. We will also frame bylaws in this regard soon,” she said.
Banerjee also revealed that action was taken against three builders who were using tap water in building construction. “We have no provisions to take action for using tap water in coolers, gardening etc but request the citizens to avoid the same. Water from well or borewell should be used for such purposes. The civic body also plans to supply treated sewage for construction activities, including cement road works,” she said.
Admitting the need to reduce water supply due to scarcity, Zelke said a decision in this regard will be taken in 3-4 days.
Banerjee said sewage/effluent water treatment plant has been made mandatory for 54 bulk water consumers who use over 1 lakh litres per day, including 52 government agencies and two private entities. “Reuse of water by these consumers will help conserve potable water,” she said.
Zelke said the situation on raw water front is worsening hence there need is to construct barrage on Kanhan-Kolar rivers. “Estimated cost of the barrage is around Rs500 crore and we will require funds from the government. We are also planning to take up work to lay pipeline from Pench reservoir to Kanhan water treatment plant (WTP) to curb huge loss of water,” he said.
Banerjee said the number of water tankers has increased to 342 in non-network areas and 150 in network areas.
NMC’s New Steps To Conserve Water
* Charge for groundwater on lines of tap water
* Save Water Helpline to receive complaints related to wastage or misuse of tap water
* Supply of treated sewage for construction activities and cement road works
* Pipeline from Pench reservoir to Kanhan WTP
* Regularization or disconnection of illegal water connections
* Awareness to use water from wells or borewells for non-potable use like gardening, coolers, washing of vehicles etc