Nagpur: With a 10% water cut set to take effect from Oct 16, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) will crack down on illegal connections, curb wastage and restrict non-essential use to ensure available supplies are reserved for drinking and other essential needs.Municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar chaired a review meeting on Saturday to finalise the measures. He told TOI that NMC would rationalise water distribution in accordance with the 2018 govt resolution (GR).Nagpur receives around 740 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water — 520 MLD from Totladoh reservoir through Pench system and 220 MLD from Kanhan river. A proportionate 10% cut would reduce the city’s supply by around 74 MLD.Itankar said builders and developers would have to use recycled water for construction. The use of treated drinking water for gardening and vehicle washing would also be prohibited. Groundwater could be used for gardening wherever available. NMC’s garden department has been directed to use treated sewage water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) across its 204 gardens.The civic administration will investigate illegal water connections and take action against unauthorised users. It is examining whether such connections can be brought under the taxation system or should instead face legal proceedings.The proposed curbs assume significance as nearly 35% of the water supplied by NMC is classified as non-revenue water, according to figures shared by Itankar. This includes water lost through leakages, unauthorised consumption and other causes that prevent it from generating revenue for the civic body.NMC has around 4.5 lakh legal water connections. Reducing losses and curbing unauthorised consumption will be crucial to ensuring that available supplies reach consumers efficiently.The civic administration is expected to discuss the proposed measures with the governing body before issuing a circular next week.Additional municipal commissioners Ankit and Murugunantham M, Milind Meshram, superintending engineer (public health engineering department) Shweta Banerjee and representatives of Orange City Water Ltd attended the meeting.District guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule is scheduled to hold a review meeting on Monday to discuss the water situation and measures to manage supplies.INFOBOX 1: NAGPUR’S WATER SUPPLYTotal daily supply: 740 MLDPench system (Totladoh): 520 MLDKanhan river: 220 MLDProposed 10% cut: Around 74 MLDLegal water connections: 4.50 lakhINFOBOX 2: WATER USE RESTRICTIONS PROPOSEDConstruction: Recycled water to be used instead of treated drinking water.Gardening: Groundwater to be used wherever available.Vehicle washing: Use of potable water to be prohibited.NMC gardens: Sewage-treated water from STPs to be used across all 204 gardens.Illegal connections: NMC plans action against unauthorised users.INFOBOX 3: 35% WATER CLASSIFIED AS NON-REVENUENearly 35% of supplied water is classified as non-revenue water.This includes losses due to leakages, unauthorised consumption and other reasons.NMC aims to rationalise distribution and curb wastage.The civic body will follow the 2018 state govt GR for water allocation.INFOBOX 4: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?Oct 16: State-directed 10% water cut scheduled to begin.Next week: NMC likely to issue a circular after discussions with its governing body.Monday: Guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to review the water situation and proposed measures.
