To tap water leakage in the old and dilapidated pipelines, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to carry out a water audit — a pilot project — in western suburbs. According to sources, Mumbai loses around 650 mld of water due to leakage. The audit will include detection of water leakage with high-end technology sensors, Ground Penetration Radars (GPRs) and mapping of underground pipelines with the aid of geographic information system (GIS).

As part of the project, the detection of leakages will begin in Goregaon, Malad, Kandivli and Borivli areas. To detect the water leakage, sound sensors that will send an alarm during the leakage will be installed at particular points in the pipeline. The GPRs will help detect water leakage in underground pipelines and the GIS will help map the underground utilities and complicated network of water pipelines.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Diggikar said the pilot project would begin in next two months. “Since leakage of the water is the main problem, firstly we need to fix it. We will see the results from the pilot project and then implement the measures in other parts of the city,” he said. “The findings of the pilot project will be included in the audit ,” he said.

The BMC had proposed a water audit in 2006 and even selected a company to carry out the audit, however, it was rejected by corporators alleging that it would pave way for privatisation. Fearing such a backlash, civic officials are being more careful in implementing the proposal.

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