Nagpur civic body to inspect car washes and swimming pools to curb drinking water waste

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has decided to take a hard line on the misuse of drinking water, as the city may face a water crisis. Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin held an emergency meeting on Saturday and ordered a thorough inspection of all vehicle washing centres and swimming pools in the city.

Operators will face action if drinking water is found to be used against the rules or wasted. Anyone found using drinking water for washing vehicles, cleaning roads, gardening or construction can be fined up to Rs 5,000 for each incident.

The meeting was held in the Commissioner's hall at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Administrative Building. Officials of the water supply department were present, including Additional Commissioner Ankit, Additional Commissioner Murugananthem M., Chief Engineer Leena Upadhye, Superintending Engineer Rajesh Dufare, all assistant commissioners, Executive Engineer Shrikant Waikar and Kushal Atkare of OCW.

Because of lower rainfall this year, the reservoirs supplying water to Nagpur currently hold only 58 per cent of their capacity. The administration has therefore stressed saving water, increasing the use of alternative sources and stopping wastage in distribution.

The inspections will pay special attention to excessive or irregular use of drinking water and to wastage. Operators and owners who break the rules will face action.

The corporation will also run a drive against illegal tap connections. Camps will first be held at zonal offices to give people a chance to regularise such connections. Meters will then be installed on those connections. Police complaints have also been ordered in cases of tampering with meters or removal of meters. The administration said action against illegal connections will continue during the festival season too.

To ease the growing pressure on drinking water, the corporation is considering developing public wells as an alternative water source. The plan includes cleaning the wells, testing water quality and installing solar pumps with the help of the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA). Water from these wells can be used for non-drinking purposes such as washing vehicles and gardening, which will save drinking water.

The meeting also stressed groundwater conservation and strengthening alternative sources. Under the guidance of the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA), a plan will be drawn up to promote rainwater harvesting and to revive wells and borewells. Decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be set up at suitable places, and the treated water will be used for gardens, trees on road dividers and construction.

The Commissioner has also ordered that leaks in water pipelines be repaired immediately. The administration aims to stop water wastage, manage the available stock better and strengthen the city's water supply system before summer.