PWD policy aims to streamline water supply management

PANAJI
For the first time, the Public Works Department has framed a 'policy' for the operation and maintenance of drinking water supply and will implement it immediately, aimed at better planning and execution of the water utility function it is currently managing.

The policy cites water supply distribution with regularity, potability, quality, and quantity to all as its main objective. It also seeks to involve the "community" in the task to the extent possible.

Managing the non-revenue water reduction programme to achieve a “zero leakage policy” and “water audit”, and undertaking regular water quality testing by involving the community, are some other objectives of the policy.

The policy entails setting up Water and Sanitation Committees by all municipalities, panchayats, and the Corporation City of Panaji (CCP), in coordination with the PWD and the Departments of Urban Development and Directorate of Panchayats, with the Technical Assistant and Junior Engineer of that jurisdiction co-opted as members.

Under the policy, each Works Division of the PWD will prepare an 'annual plan' of operations and maintenance activities or capital works for operation of the Water Treatment Plants and Water Supply Schemes and obtain prior approval of the plans from the Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, on or before the end of each financial year.

It also specifies that the PWD will create "dedicated" operations and maintenance teams for each municipal, panchayat, and CCP area, which will take up the work in the area, including attending to day-to-day leakages, breakdowns, and emergency works.

Additionally, in case of any shutdown of the network/scheme, the concerned Assistant Engineer will ensure that wide publicity is given, mentioning the affected areas with intimation to the concerned Municipality/Village Panchayat/CCP.

Protecting water supply sources utilised for drinking water supply, conducting routine sanitary surveys to assess the safety and security of all water supply sources twice a year, inventory and mapping of all assets and components of the complete water supply system for real-time monitoring through a GIS-based application, and ensuring an effective Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Management programme are some other features of the policy.