Trichy: Trichy corporation has completed a detailed study for the pilot 24X7 drinking water project and has launched preliminary work to benefit six densely populated wards here. The local body eyes reducing non-revenue water loss and promoting judicious usage of drinking water by charging residents based on the actual consumption instead of levying slab rate charges, besides ensuring round the clock supply to 14,819 domestic and commercial connections. Six wards selected for the project are 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56. The project will be implemented at 38.4 crore. Drinking water pipelines for 100.6km will be laid. Work has commenced in a 5km stretch. The district metering area (DMA) has been completed already. The local body has classified the six wards under nine DMA zones. Each zone will have flow control valves and pressure monitoring gadgets. Water flow in the DMA zones can be monitored through the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) control room at the integrated command control centre (ICCC) in the corporation’s main office. “Live monitoring will be ensured to identify major pipeline bursts. Faults in overhead water tanks can be identified too, water storage will be ensured in the tanks,” an official said.
A new overhead water tank (OHT) will be built at Nakshatra Nagar near Karumandapam.
Execution of the model drinking water project would require 19.5 MLD (million litres per day). Presently, corporation draws and pumps 150 MLD of water from 11 major water sources on Cauvery and Kollidam riverbeds. In conventional drinking water supply, houses in high-lying areas would face discrepancies due to the differences in elevation. Such inconsistencies will be ruled out in the pilot project, said officials. Presently, drinking water is supplied to most parts of the city for about 3-4 hours, with Srirangam enjoying longer supply than rest of the wards. But, under the pilot scheme, residents irrespective of the location could fetch water anytime. Contrary to the perception that a 24X7 project may increase the demand, officials said that it is unlikely since residents may restrict the usage and prevent wastage. Digital water meters will be fixed, and residents and traders will pay based on the consumption. “We will gradually increase the coverage under the 24X7 drinking water scheme to other wards. Illegal water tapping and revenue loss in the water supply will be prevented,” mayor Mu Anbalagan told TOI.
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