KMC to install meters to detect water loss

The KMC will soon float tenders to select the firm for the project entitled Loss of Water management project. Water meters will be installed in households and commercial establishments to detect loss of water.

A pilot study will be carried out in wards 1 to 7 in North Kolkata.It may be mentioned that in New Town meters to stop wastage of water will be installed.

The KMC supplies 320 million gallon drinking water per day to the residents free of cost. But the cost of production of water has gone up. Unfiltered water is lifted from river Hooghly and then at Palta, it is filtered and taken to Tallah where water is stored in a huge overhead tank.

From Tallah it is distributed to the city. The KMC has set up over a dozen booster stations for better distribution of water.It may be recalled that the water treatment plant at Palta is the oldest plant in the country that was set up in 1861.

KMC engineers said wastage of drinking water was a major menace. In many areas wastage occurred due to leaks on the underground main.  

The meter will find out the exact quantity of filtered water lost every day.Once the firm is selected the civic authorities will chalk out plans for installation of meters. The engineers said around 20mgd drinking water was wasted every day.

Once the wastage was reduced, then more people could be brought under the supply net.