PUNE: The water scenario in the city has worsened with the rising temperature. High temperature is responsible for increasing water evaporation rate and reducing water storage. At the same time, water demand has increased by 15 to 20 per cent. In this backdrop, the municipal commissioner has called a meeting on Tuesday for proper planning of existing water storage. There is a possibility of alternate day water supply in coming days in the city.
According to civic officials, there is around 6.93 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) water in the four dams of Khadakwasla, Temghar, Varasgaon and Panshet. It was 9.36 TMC last year on the same day. Rising temperature is causing faster evaporation of water.
The Khadakwasla Irrigation Department is anticipating around 2 TMC water evaporation in coming days. The city requires 1.25 TMC water per month. Therefore, the department has to take extra precautions to save water.
Hence, the PMC has implemented closure of drinking water on Thursday on account of repair and maintaining the water system. With this exercise, the city has started saving water once a week. However, due to the election period, the closure was suspended. Now, it has started from this Thursday. Around 900 million litres per day (MLD) water is saved through this exercise.
CITY INTAKE INCREASES IN SUMMER
A senior PMC official said, “We are facing a dilemma. Water intake increases in summer season from 135 litres per capacity per day (LPCD) to 155 LPCD. However, there is insufficient water storage in the dams. It is also evaporating due to high temperature. City water intake increased 15 to 20 per cent because of the heatwave sweeping the State. Now, we have to decide how to manage the existing water in the dams considering evaporation.”
The norms for water supply are suggested by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO).
These norms differ according to the classification of towns and cities in urban India. 70 LPCD is meant for a town with piped water supply but without sewerage.
There is 135 LPCD for a city with piped water supply where sewerage system exists. The amount of water is more as compared to town and urban cities in metropolitan and mega cities, where it is 150 LPCD where sewerage system is existing.
DAILY REQUIREMENT
As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):1172-1993, the water requirement is 135 litres/capita/day (LPCD). This includes 5 LPCD for drinking, 5 LPCD for cooking, 55 LPCD for bathing, 20 LPCD for washing of clothes, 10 LPCD for washing of utensils, 10 LPCD for washing and cleaning of house and 30 LPCD for flushing of toilets.