Recycling

Only 70% of Pune’s sewage is treated while the rest is dumped directly into the rivers. This is a criminal waste of a precious resource.What’s worse is that the sewage created in toilets of our homes is sent directly to the water sources that supply to our own fellow citizens who live downstream from us. This is inhuman and unforgivable.

If we recycle 100% of our sewage instead of dumping it in to the rivers, we could solve many problems at once – we can reuse the water for the needs of the city (irrigation, industrial processes, and even toilet flushing, construction etc), we can rejuvenate the river and stop the harm to the health of our fellow citizens.  Also, a 2010 report by the MCCIA (Pune River Restoration and Navigation Project) has recommended that we have a series of interlinked smaller capacity Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) instead of a few big ones, so that there is redundancy in the system. Another important technical point to note is that the Capacity of these plants should cater not to the average sewage input but to the Peak sewage input. Similarly, recycling can be done locally within buildings and societies – Out of 135 litres of water that is used per person per day, around 65 litres turns into greywater. This needs to be recycled & reused for flushing & gardening.

Leakage

as per the PMC report around 40% leakage is reported in pipelines. Improving distribution infrastructure is crucial for ensuring efficient and equitable access to essential resources like water. To achieve this, several strategies can be employed.

First, comprehensive planning is essential. Conducting thorough assessments of current infrastructure, identifying weak points, and anticipating future needs can guide targeted improvements.  Investing in technology is another key aspect. Incorporating sensors, real-time monitoring, and smart metering enables accurate tracking of water flow, pressure, and consumption patterns. This data-driven approach enhances system management, minimizes leaks, and optimizes distribution.   Upgrading and expanding pipelines is paramount. Replacing outdated pipes with modern, corrosion-resistant materials improves water quality and reduces losses. Additionally, creating redundancy in the system minimizes service disruptions during maintenance or emergencies.   Engaging the community fosters a sense of ownership. Public awareness campaigns about water conservation, responsible usage, and reporting leaks can positively impact distribution efficiency.   Collaboration between the public and private sectors can provide funding and expertise for upgrades. Implementing demand-responsive systems, where water pressure is adjusted based on usage patterns, prevents wastage and improves equitable distribution.   Lastly, considering climate resilience is vital. Incorporating climate-adaptive measures ,safeguards distribution systems against extreme weather events and ensures a reliable supply during challenging conditions.  In conclusion, enhancing distribution infrastructure requires a multifaceted approach involving planning, technology, public engagement, collaboration, and climate considerations. A robust distribution network improves resource efficiency and enhances the quality of life for urban populations. Having said this, the figure of 40% leakage is not reliable – because that leakage would be reflected in rising groundwater table. It is possible that many housing societies have installed pipes of much bigger diameter than they are supposed to, and are hence using far more water than is reflected in the official numbers. So, the entire system needs to be reassessed and planned with the use of technology.

Groundwater Management– At present anybody can dig a bore well & start extracting groundwater to meet water demands. Unchecked over-extraction of groundwater has resulted in rapid depletion of groundwater levels. This is a dangerous situation, as recharging the groundwater takes years and decades – while the rate of depletion can be relatively instant. PMC / Collector should insist on written permissions to dig a bore/open well with a written undertaking to recharge groundwater using Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) methods. Rapid construction – most of which is unavoidable – has reduced the ground water recharging capacity of our land and this is set to get worse.

Since the state of the groundwater table is not something that citizens think about, it is ignored by the bureaucracy and the political system. This is dangerous and will hurt us very badly in the coming years.

Rainwater Harvesting collects water to recharge the groundwater table.

The Pune Municipal Corporation, in 2016, undertook an initiative to install rainwater harvesting systems in 75 civic body buildings under the guidance of Col. Shashikant Dalvi. It was found that an area of 73735.36 sq meters. which included the terraces of various hospitals, theatres, schools, and ward buildings had the potential to harvest 55.3 million litres of rainwater. This is enough to fulfil the water requirement of 5,00,000 people.

This report focuses on the possibility of installing rainwater harvesting systems on all 13,000 buildings in Pune and their potential to fulfil the water requirements of the 40 lakh people residing in Pune. This report includes data collected from site visits to various schools, community halls, hospitals, etc While the law states that all new buildings have to have RWH systems, these mostly remain on paper.

There is also inertia on the part of the citizens to retro fit these systems. If the government itself cannot install RWH systems on their own buildings, how do we expect citizens to do so? While RWH is not a magic cure all, it is an important.