World Water Day; Indore's progressive water conservation & management has created a revolution.
When the World Wildlife Fund, an International Organization, released a list of 100 cities worldwide with a risk of facing water scarcity till 2030, seeing Indore on the 75th number was a little disheartening. In the quest for coming first in the Swachhta Survekshan, Indore Municipal Corporation has realized that an all rounder approach for environment has to be applied to make the city a progressively modern example for the country. With formal planning and dedicated execution, IMC has managed to develop methods of proper conservation of water for the city with major investments in water treatment plants and other water conservation. Here are some major steps taken by IMC for water conservation in the city.
CLEANING OF DRAINS AND WATER BODIES:
According to Mr. Warsi, IMC has applied for Water Plus (Water+) certification as the corporation has been able to treat its wastewater completely and thus, no sewage sludge for industrial wastewater goes into the lakes and rivers without being treated first. Indore has laid an underground closed sewer line in the whole city and has 100% treatment capacity for the sewage generated in the city. Currently, the city generates around 300 Million Litres per Day of wastewater. There are no more open drains in the city and the treated wastewater is being used for various purposes like cleaning of roads, gardening and agriculture purposes.
REJUVENATING THE SARASWATI RIVER STRETCH:
A stretch of two kilometers of Saraswati River, which had turned into a filthy drain, has now been completely rejuvenated by Indore Municipal Corporation and fountains have been installed in it to enhance the beauty of the water body. The IMC is also planting trees on the banks of the river to enhance its beauty. Now, clean water flows in the said part of the river, which is evident from the fact that aquatic life is developing there.
A line has also been added for STP from East Ring Road, so that the dirty water can be treated and released into the pond. Pipalyhana pond is considered to be a major recharge point for increasing the ground water level of the area. The water filled in the pond will gradually increase the ground water level of the area by leaking into the ground and hence keeping the water level up for the boring systems used by the people. Officials claim that the municipal corporation has started the process of filling the pond with treated water just before summer this step will majorly alleviate the scarcity of water due to drying in the summer.
FINES IMPOSED BY IMC FOR THOSE WHO WASTE WATER:
IMC water works department has imposed a fine of Rs.100 up to Rs.25,000 on those who waste water or any kind of misuse of water is been caught. The ban would be on washing of vehicles and courtyards, watering of lawns, construction, overflowing of overhead and underground water tanks or any kind of water wastage, where instead of using water judiciously, it is being wasted. If the fines won’t be able to stop water misuse the water connection shall be severed. If the violator doesn’t pay the fine it would be added in the water bill. Each zonal office will have separate teams who will go on inspections and can ensue challan on those who waste water.
EFFLUENT WATER TREATMENT PLANT:
A one of its kind in the state, the Holkar college developed and installed a cost efficient effluent treatment plant which is deemed to treat 300 liters of chemical rich water that flows from the labs after experiments. This water after being treated can be sent underground. The sludge created from the treatment can also be used as a fuel. This treatment plant will majorly help in conservation and reuse of water. This would possibly be implemented in other colleges and university departments all over, seeing as how water is a basic requirement and has to be used in large quantities.
The IMC has ensured that water a precious resource, is conserved, preserved and treated correctly for the city to fulfill its dream of achieving the goal of becoming one of the best smart cities in the world.
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Article By: Umme Salma Saifee
