MC to save 7 mgd water now used for green space irrigation

By July this year the Municipal Corporation (MC) would be able to save around 7 million gallons daily (mgd) of drinking water that is now being used for irrigation of green spaces. This would be done by making tertiary treated water available for irrigation of parks,gardens and greenbelts. The project for providing tertiary treated water for irrigation is being undertaken under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) . While at present tertiary treated water is being provided in a few areas of the northern sectors,most gardens and greenbelts are irrigated either through shallow tubewells or through canal water. There are 47 developed greenbelts,22 big gardens and more than 1,500 parks under the Municipal Corporation. All the greenbelts and gardens under the UT Administration have also been transferred to the civic body. The Municipal Corporation is in the process of laying underground water supply lines for tertiary treated water.

While a 10-mgd capacity Sewerage Treatment Plant is functioning at Diggian,another of the same capacity is undergoing renovation. Work on construction of two out of four underground reservoirs is also under process. Tertiary treated water would be filled in these reservoirs and then supplied to the greenbelts and gardens. “The laying of pipelines is underway and reservoirs are being constructed. While a sewerage treatment plant is functioning at Diggian,another one had to be closed for renovation as it was constructed way back in 1991,” said an official of the MC Public Health Department. “Once the working of the two plants is streamlined,we would be able to save on water required for drinking,” he added.

The city requires around 20 mgd water for irrigation purposes. This demand is at present met through canal water and shallow tubewells. However,these tubewells become defunct after a period of time.

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The supply of water to the city is 87 mgd,out of which 67 mgd is canal water from Kajauli and the remaining is through tubewells. The peak summer demand is 113 mgd.

The projected demand for the year 2011 is 115.85 mgd. The MC had proposed the enhancement of water supply through Kajauli Phase V and VI. But with the Punjab government having refused to give additional water to the city,the proposal is in limbo. Chandigarh also has to start providing Panchkula its share of water,for which pipelines are being laid. Mayor Ravinder Pal Singh said,“By July-end all gardens and greenbelts will be irrigated with tertiary treated water. This would help save drinking water and reduce residents’ woes during summer.”