Residents collect water from a public tap
Nagpur: With deficient rainfall raising concerns over the city’s water security, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Saturday presented a water conservation action plan to revenue minister and district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, targeting savings of 27.7 million litres per day (MLD) through recycled water, leakage repairs and stricter enforcement against wastage. NMC currently supplies around 786 MLD of water to the city, including 240 MLD drawn from Kanhan river and 546 MLD from the Pench system. 20 MLD SAVINGS FROM RECYCLED WATER
With reservoir levels significantly below those recorded last year, the civic body is exploring ways to conserve potable water and reduce pressure on its existing sources.
Repairs to third-party damaged pipelines have already generated estimated water savings of 0.15 MLD. NMC has disconnected 176 illegal commercial water connections, saving an estimated 0.18 MLD, and plans to disconnect 24 more to save another 0.02 MLD. The combined measures are projected to save 2.77 crore litres daily, or approximately 831 million litres over 30 days. TOTLADOH STORAGE PLUNGES TO 33.66% Totladoh reservoir, a major source of Nagpur’s water supply, held 342.27 million cubic metres (MCM) of live storage on Oct 31, equivalent to just 33.66% of its designed live storage capacity. On the corresponding date last year, storage stood at 93.75%. Khindsi is another reservoir showing a sharp decline, with live storage at 35.27% of capacity against 99.53% a year ago. Kamthi Khairi stood at 57.34%, compared with 74.36% last year, while Nand was at 71.53%, against full storage. Wadgaon was relatively better placed at 90.98%. LIVE STORAGE ON OCT 31, 2026 Reservoir– Live storage (MCM)– Capacity filled Totladoh– 342.27– 33.66% Khindsi– 36.33– 35.27% Kamthi Khairy– 81.41– 57.34% Nand– 38.04– 71.53% Wadgaon– 122.73– 90.98% NMC’S WATER CONSERVATION SCORECARD 108 pipeline leakages repaired 152 third-party pipeline damage cases repaired 176 illegal commercial connections disconnected 75 vehicle washing centres targeted for switching to well water 400 wells identified for greater use 10 STPs proposed for recycled-water distribution WATER-SAVING TARGETS Proposed measure– Estimated daily savings Reuse of treated sewage water– 20 MLD Feeder pipeline leakage repairs– 3 MLD Greater use of wells– 2 MLD Action against water wastage– 0.5 MLD Vehicle washing centres switching to well water– 0.03 MLD Prevention of pipeline damage– 0.15 MLD Disconnection of illegal commercial connections– 0.02 MLD You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
To prevent damage to water pipelines during excavation, NMC will direct construction agencies to obtain prior permission from its water supply department and undertake work in the presence of departmental representatives. The civic body has also proposed punitive action against those found wasting water. However, the target will depend on effective implementation and the extent to which recycled water and groundwater replace potable supplies. Download the TOI App.
The conservation drive comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of the city’s water supply as storage in key reservoirs remains considerably below last year’s levels.
The biggest component of the proposed plan is the reuse of treated sewage water from 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs), expected to save 20 MLD of drinking water. This is expected to save another 2 MLD, NMC officials said. NMC has identified 400 wells for greater use, targeting savings of 2 MLD. Another 0.03 MLD is expected to be saved by shifting 75 vehicle washing centres to well or borewell water. LEAKAGE REPAIRS, ENFORCEMENT TO BOOST SAVINGS The civic body estimates that 108 water leakage repairs have already saved 3.8 MLD. It plans to repair leaks in feeder pipelines to save an additional 3 MLD.
NMC plans to install hydrants at these plants to supply recycled water through tankers for construction sites, vehicle washing centres, gardens and other non-potable uses, said municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar. The civic body also plans to persuade bulk consumers, including the railways, airport authority, Military Engineering Services (MES) and hospitals, to reduce their consumption of treated drinking water and use recycled water or well water wherever feasible.