TIME TO ACT

Around 40% of water is wasted because Jal Sansthan pipelines are leaking at several points

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Not only Uttar Pradesh but almost the entire nation is facing drought-like conditions. In such circumstances conservation of water is not an option but a necessity.

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LUCKNOW: Water scarcity in April has forced Jal Sansthan authorities to think about water conservation. Mayor Dinesh Sharma has even asked the civic body to stop washing roads for VVIPs till June 30. But wastage of water continues in the city.

Big promises to control wastage and strict action against those wasting water are made every year, but nothing is done at the ground level.

Jal Sansthan has proposed imposition of fine on those washing cars in the open and those installing submersibles without permission, but has never bothered to push for such rules.

However, mayor Dinesh Sharma claims that the state capital would soon be the first city of UP to have rules and regulations to punish those wasting water.

Sharma says, “At present, the city’s population is about 45 lakh. Besides, there is a floating population of 10 lakh which depends upon water supply by the Jal Sansthan. There is requirement of around 750 mld of water every day, but the civic body is able to supply only 650 mld of water against the daily requirement.”

Another reason for water scarcity in the city, which Jal Sansthan has failed to control, is the wastage of water due to breach in pipelines.

Around 40% of water is wasted because Jal Sansthan pipelines are leaking at several points. This fact has also been accepted by authorities, though unofficially.

According to reports, residents waste around 100 mld of water daily while washing hands in the wash basin, washing cars, bikes with potable water and only 50% of water supplied is used for drinking purpose.

So far, the LMC house has lacked the will to punish those wasting water. However in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, there is a provision of imposing `5001,000 fine on those wasting water on carwash or for overflowing water tank.

In Lucknow, the Jal Sansthan can only issue a challan and residents too don’t take it too seriously because the fine amount is a meagre `50.

Dinesh Sharma, while talking to Hindustan Times on phone, said: “In the next meeting of LMC, we would pass the rules so that residents who waste water could be fined. Those operating car wash centres would have to pay 10 times more tax if they are not using recycled water. Anyone who has installed submersible pump would have to pay water charges as underground water springs belong to the state and not to any individual.”

Besides heavy fine, the new rules also have provision of jail term for those who breach water lines. The mayor admitted that Jal Sansthan had delayed reforms by five years.

Social worker Bhaiyyaji blamed Jal Sansthan for the wastage of water. “Why don’t they repair the leakages in pipelines. It would not only save water, but also prevent epidemics which spread in the city during summers.”

“Controlling wastage is tough task, but Jal Sansthan can at least make an effort. I am not against heavy penalty. But initially, residents indulging in wastage should be warned and made aware of limited water resources. If they don’t follow the rule, they must be penalized,” added Bhaiyyaji.

Rajeev Bajpai, GM, Jal Sansthan said the civic body will issue notices to residents/consumers who are found involved in activities leading to wastage of drinking water.

They would be asked to mend their ways and stop wasting water and challan will be issued only to repeated offenders. “Similar efforts in Delhi have yielded good results, we hope to generate similar awareness here too,” he said.