NMMC using drinking water for its gardens, complain residents

The greenery, plants and trees in 200 gardens in the city are watered with drinking water every day at a time when the city is grappling with water shortage.

Around 15mld of water is released in the gardens every day by the civic personnel, denying the residents that much fresh water. In contrast, 180MLD of treated water from the sewage treatment plants of the city, which can be used in the gardens is released into the creek every day.

The water supply department has repeatedly asked the garden department to use the sewage treatment plant ( STP) water however, the department and the contractors seem to be paying little attention to the criminal wastage of the precious resource for years.

Navi Mumbai is f acing a grave water crisis. The Morbe dam is reported to have its stock of water last only till March. To ensure that the water lasts till June, the NMMC has initiated a 25% water cut in the city. Though the residents are upset, the administration has said that it has no option but to take stern action.

The NMMC has appealed to the residents to not waste water and conserve it.

It is reported to have also initiated action against those who indulge in the wastage. It has also distributed phamplets giving residents tips on how to save water.

The NMMC has around 200 gardens in the city spread over 7.92 lakh square metre area.

The NMMC provides water for the gardens. Every garden has been given a water connection.

Residents are peeved that the NMMC is not practising what it is preaching.

Sanjeev Gupta, a resident of Sector 29, Vashi, said, “The workers of the garden department can be seen using the hose to spray water on the greenery every morning. In fact, at times, more than the required water is released resulting in water logging at several places. At times, there is no one to stop the flow of water from the pipe which continues to release water.”

According to information provided by the water supply department, every day, 15mld water is given for the garden department. The volume is equivalent to the requirement of entire Digha region.

Arvind Shinde, executive engineer ( water supply), said, “We have repeatedly asked the water department to make sure there is no wastage of water because of negligence.”

He added, “We have also asked them to use the treated water from the STPs and stop using the drinking water that can be used for the residential areas.”