Home / Environment / Puducherry Taps Into Smarter Water Future
Puducherry Taps Into Smarter Water Future
4 Oct
Summary
- New policy mandates timely repairs for water leaks and contamination issues.
- Focus on reducing non-revenue water to below 10% within five years.
- Village committees will oversee daily operations and water quality monitoring.
Rural Puducherry is set to receive enhanced drinking water services through a new, time-bound monitoring system. The territorial government's revised Operation and Maintenance Policy, aligned with Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, prioritizes consistent delivery of safe water over mere infrastructure creation. This initiative is crucial for Puducherry, where groundwater sources face quality and depletion challenges.
The policy establishes strict deadlines for resolving issues such as leaks, contamination, and public complaints, aiming to improve service reliability. Authorities must ensure a daily supply of at least 55 litres per person, meeting BIS standards. Contaminated sources will be isolated and disinfected before supply is restored.
A central aim is to significantly cut down water wastage, targeting a reduction in non-revenue water to under 10% within five years. This will be supported by advanced monitoring technologies like bulk meters and SCADA systems, feeding into a State-level Command and Control Centre.
Village Water and Sanitation Committees will be empowered as local utilities, managing daily operations, monitoring water quality, and overseeing conservation efforts. They will prioritize drinking water needs in their annual budgets and promote water conservation practices like rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
