Water Metering Miracles?

 We all are aware what “Metering” can do and its significance. We face metering every day in some form or other. The Electricity metering, Auto Rickshaw metering ,Taxi  metering  and  we  use  these  services  with  thought  and  concern as  the  impact  in  monetary terms  is direct  and immediate.

 Metering & Waste Reduction

 In Tarnaka, Hyderabad in an Upper Middle Class apartment complex with 32 families, there was always a shortage of Water and the residents of the complex were incurring heavy expenditure for getting water by tankers. The residents decided to introduce water meters for each apartment (Flat) in addition to the Metro Water meter for bulk supply to the apartment complex, in order to monitor actual consumption by each apartment. It was also decided to charge the residents of each Flat, for excess consumption recorded in the meter, over and above the base limit mutually agreed and fixed.   

 Lo and behold….there was No shortage of water which was earlier wasted due to lack of concern and monitoring. The same quantum of water which was received earlier from Metro Water Supply is now adequate to meet the requirements of all the apartments, as water is being used with care and concern to minimize the monitory impact.

 A small step of water metering made life comfortable for 32 families and brought in a big impact in consciousness about water conservation. Avoided the need to purchase additional water by tankers (about 20 Tankers costing around Rs 8000 per month) and the attitudinal change towards Scarce Resource Conservation.

 Hyderabad Metro Water Board struggling to Stay Afloat

 Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is reported to be on the verge of financial breakdown with its deficit rising every month. Its revenue is estimated to be Rs.63 Crore per month while its overheads run into Rs.93 Crore, leaving a shortfall of Rs.30 Crore every month.

 The Water Board seems to be looking for the Govt. clearance to increase the water tariff or for financial support by way of grants to bridge the increasing gap. Both these options are likely to burden the consumer/ citizen who is already overburdened. The right approach for the Water Board is to maximize the revenue by plugging the water pilferage/ leakages / wastages.

 Metering & Water Balancing

 The basic approach is to meter, account and monitor every liter of water, in the entire supply chain right from the Reservoir to the Consumer end, covering the quantity of water billed, supplied free, lost in leakages, pilferage etc. This can be achieved by installing reliable and tamper proof Water Meters at all stages of water supply system ensuring every water supply connection, including free water supply, has a meter, which needs to be maintained in good order.

This will enable accurate “Water Balancing/Accounting” at all stages of water supply and distribution systems, eliminating/minimizing  unauthorized connections, pilferage, malpractices etc.  and bringing accountability for every Ltr. of water being supplied from  the Reservoir. Thus Water Board will be able to improve the efficiency of water supply and distribution systems for maximizing the revenue without the need to increase the tariff.

 How Much Water do we need?

 An  average urban middle class  family  of  5, having  most  of the White Goods  like Washing  Machines, hot  water  heaters, grinders etc, consumes around 1500 Ltrs. per day, working out to 300 Liters Per Day  (LPD) per head.  This Urban usage/wastage of 300 LPD is a real Luxury, when compared to most rural people make do with   20 to 30 LPD.

 Do you Know?

  It requires about 2000 to 3000 Liters of Water to grow Paddy required for   One Kilo Gram of Rice

 If 10 Grams of Rice  is wasted.,  about  20  to  30 Liters of water is being  wasted  …the  requirement  of Water per day for one  person in Rural area  / Urban slum.

 

           Water is too Precious to be Wasted. Conserve Water- Save Life
______________________________________________________________