KTPS fly ash discharge in Kanhan hits water supply

Nagpur: As the intensity of rain increased over the last two days, fly ash slurry from Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station (KTPS) has once again started flowing into Kanhan River affecting water supply to the city.
“This time, the accumulated fly ash was clearly seen at Kanhan water treatment plant (WTP) intake well. On the upstream, substantial discharge of fly ash was seen from Waregaon overflow point which flows into the Kolar River and ultimately meets the Kanhan River,” said officials from NMC’s water works department.
As the Kanhan WTP cannot separate fly ash from river water, the raw water pumps on the right bank of the river (drywell) had to be stopped, which means 35% less pumping.
Only 65% pumping was done from Kanhan WTP which resulted in water crisis in North, East and South parts of Nagpur city including 28 ESR’s from Asi Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Lakadganj and Satranjipura zones.
“The concerned authorities of KTPS were informed about the incident,” said the official.
The official said: “This is the third time fly ash has been witnessed at Kanhan WTP in the last two months and pumping had to be stopped, which affected water supply.”
Till writing of this report, the overflow discharge of fly ash from KTPS had not stopped.