The transmission losses of raw water through canal is ranging from minimum 20% to 35% depending on quantum of water releases in canal. The quantum of water loss was estimated to the tune of minimum 100 Mld to 250 Mld.

If NMC recovers these losses, the additional water available from recovery of losses will be sufficient upto 2016 for expected population growth of city.

NMC has taken initiative for laying of MS pipeline for transmission of raw water and discussions are started with irrigation department to provide the benefit of recovered losses in terms of providing addition fresh water to city. The total estimated cost of pipe line project was Rs. 162.62 Crores.

Water Audit study reveals that appx. 17.90 Mld of water lost through water treatment plant for back wash and leakage losses.

It was recommended to re-cycle the WTP water to avoid the water losses.

NMC has awarded the performance based contract with Jnnurm and private equity for up gradation and improvement of WTP.

Bulk Metering at raw water off-take points, pure water transmission mains and all ESR have been recommended in water audit study with following advantages.

• Savings in excess water charges paid to irrigation department – Rs. 1.95 corers / year.
• Accountability of water input in to the distribution system.
• Accountability of water for each zone as quantum of water receipt and quantum of water sold to consumer and UFW.
• Equitable distribution of water by using flow meter and remote monitoring system to control the water supply in each water district (ESR area)

NMC has installed the meter and actual savings on raw water cost has achieved more than estimated annual savings. The saving achieved by NMC in 2006-07 was Rs. 2.5 crores

The most of the un-authorized connections are in slum areas, separate slum policy has been recommended to reduce the number of stand post and illegal connections.

NMC has started the work of 24/7 project to demonstrative zone of 10000 connections for implementation of water audit recommendation through performance based contract to private operator with following scope of work.

• Study the micro level distribution network.
• Consumer metering, billing & its improvements.
• Targeted Economical level of UFW.
• Rehabilitation plan to achieve Targeted Economical level of UFW.
• Implementation of approved rehabilitation plan
• Implementation of slum policy: ensures adequate water, remove stand post, provide individual connection, measure the bulk consumption)
• Operation and maintenance of system for 5 years with bonus and penalty on achievement and non achievement of performance parameters like water quantity, quality and customer services etc.

• Appointment of Consultant from the empanelled list of technical service provider (TSP) for water audit & leak detection through competitive bid
• Scope of water audit includes
  1. Updating of water pipe network maps
  2. Water audit as per IWA guidelines
  3. Estimate water balance for city
  4. Hydraulic Model for entire distribution system
  5. Solution for equitable water distribution
  6. Leak detection survey
  7. Preparation of Action Plan for reduction of UFW
  8. Preparation of detailed Project report
• Submission of DPR to JNNURM for Phase-I
• Approval from JNNURM
• Tendering for different packages
• Implementation

The water supply projects are aimed at implement of action plan to reduce discovered raw water & treated water losses given below

• NMC has implemented the action plan with payback period less than one year.
• NMC taken initiative for replacement of Canal by close conduit pipe for transmission of raw water to save precious fresh water to the tune of minimum 100 Mld to 250 Mld.
• NMC has installed the flow meters at all raw water, pure water transmission main & ESR/GSR inlets to
  1. Save raw water cost by appx. 20%.
  2. Accountability of water usage at zonal & sub zonal level.
  3. Equitable distribution of water.
• Work started to recover the water losses at WTP’s / Gorewada tank to the tune of 22 Mld or more.
• Repaired the discovered leakages (many leakages has been repaired).
• started to Implement the slum policy for water supply to reduce un- authorized consumption.
• Continue the efforts to identify the illegal connections.
• Revised water tariff on full cost recovery and indexing with energy and raw water cost is submitted to general body for approval.