PANAJI: Keen on saving nearly 30MLD of treated sewage water from going down the drain, the state government is eyeing alternative non-potable uses for it. It has even invited individuals to avail of the water free of cost.
Based on a request from the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), the directorate of municipal administration (DMA) has made it mandatory for all municipalities to use this water to wash vehicles and water municipal gardens, among other non-potable purposes.
The DMA circular has stated that usage of treated drinking water for non-potable activities be discontinued. It has also asked urban bodies “to coordinate with the officers of PWD and SIDCGL for ensuring appropriate use of grey water/treated water from the STPs existing and functional within your jurisdiction”.
Goa is not afflicted with water shortage like other parts of the country and the cost of treated drinking water here is among the lowest in India. As a result water from STPs finds no demand. However, the DMA has reminded municipal bodies that putting treated sewage water to use is mandatory under the national urban sanitation policy and waste water reuse and recycle policy.
“The ministry of housing and urban affairs, government of India, has directed that recycling and reusing of treated waste water be considered to the highest possible extent,” deputy director DMA Deepesh Priolkar told municipalities. The urban governing bodies have also been told to submit an action taken report to the DMA.
The SIDCGL has said that even individuals can avail of the water free of cost, without any restriction on minimum quantity. “Now, anyone with need for water for non-potable use can come forward and take the water from our STPs at no cost,” SIDCGL managing director P B Seldarkar said.
Currently, SIDCGL and PWD operate two STPs each in Panaji and Navelim, and one each in Vasco, Durbhat and Sancoale.
SIDCGL was initially planning to tie up with industries and bodies like ICAR for reuse of the treated sewage water for industries and agriculture, but with no pipeline to supply the treated water, transportation costs are turned out to be substantial.
Based on a request from the Sewerage and Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL), the directorate of municipal administration (DMA) has made it mandatory for all municipalities to use this water to wash vehicles and water municipal gardens, among other non-potable purposes.
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Getting government bodies to use treated waste water is a welcome but limited move. The government must seriously think of developing its reuse as a sector by putting in place a distribution network and charging for the water. Allowing free usage is a temporary measure and will never impress upon people its ecological and economic benefits. Water resources are under pressure already and the increasing population is only going to further it, bringing with it hiked tariffs and water shortage. Addressing the usage in a planned and phased manner is paramount.
The DMA circular has stated that usage of treated drinking water for non-potable activities be discontinued. It has also asked urban bodies “to coordinate with the officers of PWD and SIDCGL for ensuring appropriate use of grey water/treated water from the STPs existing and functional within your jurisdiction”.
Goa is not afflicted with water shortage like other parts of the country and the cost of treated drinking water here is among the lowest in India. As a result water from STPs finds no demand. However, the DMA has reminded municipal bodies that putting treated sewage water to use is mandatory under the national urban sanitation policy and waste water reuse and recycle policy.
“The ministry of housing and urban affairs, government of India, has directed that recycling and reusing of treated waste water be considered to the highest possible extent,” deputy director DMA Deepesh Priolkar told municipalities. The urban governing bodies have also been told to submit an action taken report to the DMA.
The SIDCGL has said that even individuals can avail of the water free of cost, without any restriction on minimum quantity. “Now, anyone with need for water for non-potable use can come forward and take the water from our STPs at no cost,” SIDCGL managing director P B Seldarkar said.
Currently, SIDCGL and PWD operate two STPs each in Panaji and Navelim, and one each in Vasco, Durbhat and Sancoale.
SIDCGL was initially planning to tie up with industries and bodies like ICAR for reuse of the treated sewage water for industries and agriculture, but with no pipeline to supply the treated water, transportation costs are turned out to be substantial.
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