New Delhi: Delhiites will be able to drink water directly from taps — as happens in the West — by next month, said the AAP government on Sunday.
In the pilot phase, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has selected 11 zones under Mehrauli-Vasant Vihar area where 24x7 water supply will be maintained which will enable the water utility to bypass storage tanks/underground reservoirs and booster pumps.
“In Europe and America, the government guarantees good quality water directly from taps. After two years of hard work, our government is going to give the same guarantee in 11 zones. Soon it will be done in other zones also,” said deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia while addressing the public in Mayur Vihar.
According to DJB officials, if the areas will get 24x7 water supply, there will be zero chance of contamination in tap water.
“Round the clock supply will ensure good quality. Even now the water that we supply in the morning and evening is high quality water, but it gets contaminated due to various factors,” said R.S. Tyagi, (member, water supply).
Mr Sisodia, in his address, had mentioned that the DJB is changing the pipeline network in these 11 zones and a new infrastructure is being laid. Another official explained that since the supply is not all day long, residents have installed booster pumps and storage tanks which lead to pressure on pipelines more than their hold, thus resulting in leakages and contamination of water.
“Contamination happens due to various external factors. But we are removing those external factors through 24x7 supply. The need for booster pumps will be bypassed through this project,” said the official.
He added that currently, during supply, overhead tanks brim over when they are full. But now the pipeline network has been upgraded into a circular pattern and the water will automatically flow from one house connection to the next.
“The DJB has brought in updated machinery which is needed for quality control. There will be quality checks at several levels. In case contamination happens in the pipeline, it will be treated automatically with chlorine,” he added.
