BMC readies to boost water supply as summer peaks

Bhopal: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken significant steps to address the water needs of the state capital by drawing approximately 70% of its water supply from the Narmada River and Kolar reservoir. This shift has been made possible by the installation of new pipelines, replacing the old Kolar water pipelines that were over four decades old. According to BMC city engineer Udit Garg, the current water situation in Bhopal is favourable for the upcoming summer season. Upper Lake remains a crucial source of drinking water, fulfilling around 30% of the water demand. Estimated, the water supply to the city from the treatment plant stands at 153 MLD, while the raw water supply from the Kolar dam to the Kolar Water Treatment Plant is at 162 MLD. Bhopal’s water supply management is overseen by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) along with the BMC. The city relies on multiple sources for its potable water supply, including the Upper Lake, Kolar reservoir, and the Narmada river. Raw water from the Kolar dam is pumped to water treatment plants through about 36 pipelines. Following treatment at a plant with a capacity of 154 MLD, the water is then pumped to the service reservoir.Last year, in a bid to address concerns over water demand for projected population of 2040, a significant project worth Rs 448 crore was sanctioned under AMRUT 2.0. This project aims to enhance the water supply capacity by 61 MLD, catering to a larger population in Bhopal. The expansion will boost the overall capacity of the city’s water supply system from 514 MLD to 575 MLD. BMC is also planning the construction of new water treatment plants and pump stations, including those at Kerwa, Kolar and Narmada, to further bolster the water supply system. Additionally, the implementation of SCADA for monitoring and controlling the water supply system is on the agenda to ensure efficient projection of demand and supply needs. In 2019, Bhopal’s daily water supply requirement was 530 MLD. However, challenges remain, with the extent of non-revenue water at 16% and issues around rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment capacity. Efforts are underway to address these challenges, including the institutionalization of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems as mandated by the Madhya Pradesh Bhumi Vikas Niyam, 2012. The BMC charges fees for rainwater harvesting but effective implementation remains low, at less than 1%. Moreover, the city generates significant wastewater, with treatment capacity currently at 80 MLD, leaving a substantial amount of untreated wastewater flowing into the city’s water bodies. To tackle this, new treatment plants and pump stations are being set up at a project cost of Rs 160 crore under AMRUT.
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