Nagpur: With shrinking reservoir levels raising concerns over the city’s water security, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to intensify its crackdown on the misuse of potable water.
Those found violating regulations or wasting water will face action, including penalties of up to Rs 5,000. 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. The civic body has banned the misuse of drinking water for washing vehicles, cleaning roads, watering gardens and construction activities. Deficient rainfall this year has left reservoirs with significantly reduced storage, prompting the administration to conserve available supplies and explore alternative sources for non-potable uses. NMC will also step up action against illegal water connections despite the festive season. Before launching stringent enforcement, however, it will organise special camps at zonal offices to allow consumers to regularise unauthorised connections. Officials have been directed to install water meters at such connections. Consumers found tampering with or removing meters will face police complaints. As part of efforts to develop alternative sources, Itankar directed officials to clean existing public wells, test their water quality through laboratories and install solar-powered pumps with assistance from the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). The wells will be used to develop small-scale water supply schemes, primarily for non-potable purposes such as vehicle washing and gardening. NMC will coordinate with the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) to develop rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures. It will also work to revive existing wells and borewells to improve groundwater availability. Another proposal involves setting up decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) at suitable locations across the city. Treated wastewater could be used for maintaining gardens, watering plantations along road dividers and construction, reducing dependence on potable supplies. The commissioner also directed the water supply department to identify and repair leakages in distribution pipelines immediately to prevent further wastage. Senior NMC officials, engineers, water supply department personnel and representatives of Orange City Water (OCW) attended the meeting. Download the TOI App.
At a meeting on Saturday to review measures to avert a possible water crisis in the coming months, NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar directed officials to inspect car washing centres and swimming pools across the city.