development and assessment of drinking water supply schemes for solapur town

DEVELOPMENT and ASSESSMENT OFDRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES FOR SOLAPUR TOWN

DEVELOPMENT and ASSESSMENT OF

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES FOR SOLAPUR TOWN

DR. VADAGBALKAR S.K.

I/C Principal and Head, Department of Geology

D.B.F. Dayanand College of Arts and Science, Solapur-413002, Maharashtra State, INDIA

Email: [email protected]

Introduction:-

Solapur is an ancient historical place dating back to 90 BC. Solapur is one of the important town places in Maharashtra state. It is well linked by rail & road with other cities, and is situated 400 km. SE of Mumbai.

Its spread is approximately between 170 36’ to 170 42’ N latitude and 750 50’ to 750 58’ E longitude (SOI Topo sheet 47 0/14). It is the 7th largest city in the state by population size, heading towards 12 lakh - to be a metropolitan.

Solapur is under the arid to semi arid climatic condition. It receives irregular, erratic scanty rainfall, with annual average of around 500 mm to 700 mm. It is included in rain-shadow zone and drought prone region of part of south central India.

Solapur experiences relatively higher temperature throughout the year, reaching highest up to 450- 470 in April-May months, and has relative humidity varying between 20 to 90%.

Geology and Geo hydrology of Solapur City: -

Geologically the area is covered by Deccan basalt of the continental tholeiitic province of India having Cretaceous - Eocene age (about 55 to 65 million years). Two distinct lava flows are recognized along with various flow units.

The thickness of the various flow units in the lava flows vary laterally & vertically throughout the city area. Heterogeneity in the distribution of fracture pattern, weathering mantle thickness, flow unit characters etc. hinder the movement of groundwater through the different lava flows, which has resulted in separation of water pockets of different dimensions with variable storage within the various rock units. It is important to note that temporarily mainly during rainy season, the continuity in water table may be observed, but not in all seasons. With the utilization of groundwater and passage of time

Dr. Vadagbalkar Shrinivas Krishnaji


the water table continuity disappears i.e. there is no continuity in groundwater flow mainly at deeper depths. Due to which the ground water availability vary.

Recharging of upper shallow aquifer during monsoon, takes place. As the stock/storage of water ceases after use, the groundwater availability is at stake, especially at depths.

History of Physical Growth:-

Solapur Municipality was established on 1st August 1852.Municipal limits were first defined in the year 1865 with 13 pethas and population of 30819 (1851-52 census).In 1871 Municipal limits were defined precisely as Shelgi nala on north and GIP railway on the west. As per 1872 census there were 15 pethas in the town with total population as 54,744. Municipality demolished the fort wall.

Till 1880 Siddheshwar Tank-raw water was only source of water along with 20 private wells. In the year 1881 water was supplied through pipes to the town from Ekrukh tank. After this the town developed rapidly with industrial development. In 1913, Railway station, and in 1927 part of Shelgi village area were added to the municipal limit to make total area of about 1844 hectors (4557 acres).

In 1938 an area of about 363 hectors (900 acres) from south and West Side was included in the municipal limits. In 1955 the limits of municipal council were 23.23 sq. kms and population of about 3, 37,583 as per 1961 census. On 1/5/1964 Solapur Municipal Corporation existed.

To increase the revenue and to keep pace with increasing population and urbanization, limits of the then municipal area of 23.23 sq. kms were extended. Three times extensions of Municipal Corporation limits took place in stages with population increase and need as follows.

1st extension-

On 1/7/1979 addition of small area of 2.30 sq. kms, of Hotgi and Vijapur roads were included for implementation of Integrated Urban Development scheme to the area. This resulted in total area of 25.53 sq. kms with population of 3, 98,361 as per 1971 census.

2nd extension –

From 1/4/1989 with the additional area of 7.5 sq. kms, the new total area became 33.03 sq. kms with the population of 5, 11,103 as per 1981 census.

3rd extension –

As per 1991 census populations was 6, 20,846 with area of 33.03 sq. kms To minimize and overcome the problems and difficulties aroused due to high density and overload on public utility services in the old city limits and to raise the revenue etc the surrounding area of 13 villages



which was about 145.54 sq. kms was included in the earlier limits to result in total area of 178.57 sq kms. Along with population of 88,471 of new extended area the total population reached to the tune of 7, 09,317 as per 1991 census. Population in 2001 stood at 1,225,284.

Brief Data of Water Sources tapped by Solapur Municipal Corporation:-

Ekrukh tank is an earthen dam having 2200 mt. length, 23 mt. height and maximum depth of water 21.70 mt., built on Adila River (1859-1869) by British Rulers, is 6 km. north of Solapur city. When tank is with full capacity then its total water quantity is 61.61 mm.3 The Watershed area is of 412 sq.kms., having spread in 17 sq. km. area. It has no dead stock of water.

Hotgi tank which is 12 kms.- southeast of Solapur city, is an earthen dam of 12 mt height built in 1944 during British Rule on Hotgi nala. It has water quantity spread in 192 hectors with water storage of 5.27 mm3 and watershed basin area of 59.57 sq. kms. It has no dead stock of water.

Ujani Dam - on Bhima River built in (1968 to 1980) is 103 km west - north west of Solapur city on the border of Solapur and Pune District. Its basin area considered is 14856 sq. km. with 29000 hector of land under water and total water reserves - 3, 32,000 mm3 of which 1520.87 mm3 is usable by gravity flow (46%) while 1799.13 mm3 is as dead stock (54%) which can be used by pumping.

Total evaporation (average) in the area is 26.15% per year, i.e. about 581.08 mm. Such heavy evaporation rate is due to circumferial surface area (exposed) of 33650 hector land and average maximum summer temp rising to about 46°C. It is interesting to note that requirement of Bombay city per day is about 3.00 mm3 of water and in comparison - maximum daily evaporation in summer from Ujani dam is 4.038 mm3.

Filter/ treatment plants: –

• Bhavani peth – Mainly for Ekrukh dam water

(From 1881 and extended 1946)

• Soregaon – Mainly for Bhima river water

(From 1969 and extended 1983)

• Pakani – Mainly for Ujani dam water

(From 1998)



• Present storage - supply conditions

• Total number of MBR – 2 Kondi- 2 Capacity 2.0+2.0 = 4.0 ML

HSR -- 1 2.5 ML

---------------------

6.50 ML

• Total number of GSR – 7 Jule SLP - 2 Capacity 3.5+13.5 = 27.0 ML

Civil HSP- 2 Capacity 6.5+6.5 = 13.0 ML

Sidh Peth- 2 Capacity 3.375+3.50 = 6.875 ML

DSP Blw - 1 Capacity 3.375 ML

------------------

50.25 ML

• Total number of ESR – 32 Total Capacity 39.91 ML

42 Grand total capacity 96.66 ML

Development for Water Resources :-

In 12th century Shri. Sidheshwar maharajji enlarged centrally located beautiful tank by shramdan. i.e.for the people with help of people. This has served drinking water resources for very long time, along with 20 private dug wells till 1881.

Water was made available for growing population by the then municipality authorities from a major irrigation tank- Ekrukh or Hipparaga tank. On 6th November 1879 the water works (filter plant/treatment plant at Bhavani peth) started supplying treated tap water for the citizens. It was distributing nearly 27 MLD water in the city after initial storage in two reservoirs.

Water supply was augmented with water from Hotgi tank .This raw water even today is used by nearby village populations and industries.

As per 1962 records through Ekrukh tank (filter water) water distribution was to the extent of 30.9 MLD and through Hotgi tank (raw water) 2.7 MLD.

In 1858 Municipality built a small tank Kambar / Sambhaji tank- 2 kms. S-SE of Solapur City to meet the increasing demand, but it was captured by the then military Administration and was of no use as source.



With increasing demand and acute problem of water scarcity to meet the needs in 1969 water from Bhima River 30 kms South of Solapur city – at Takali - on the Maharashtra - Karnataka boundary was tapped as important source. From jack well in river bed through pump house, the water is brought to Soregaon filter / treatment plant and then supplied to city. This was mainly for extended land limits.

However this scheme ran efficiently for nearly 14 years (1969 - 1983). In fullest capacity the supply was 54 MLD, further augmented with additional 54 MLD to get around 90 MLD as per design. However actually about 70 - 75 MLD is available in good conditions of storage of water.

With nearly 20 dams up stream in Pune district and less rains, the continuous flow in the Bhima river was not maintained during last few decades and again the supply became uneven and irregular with many times nil with total drying of river.

A new proposal scheme of lifting water from Ujani dam by Corporation was sanctioned by Maharashtra Government. Ujani dam is a tail end dam on Bhima River in Maharashtra state situated 103 kms WNW of Solapur city on the boundary of Solapur Pune districts.

Water is made available through pipe line lifting up to Khandali, then by gravity movement to Pakni filter / treatment plant and then lifting up to Kondi to stock in two MBR elevated reservoirs of 25 lakh liter capacity of each. From these reservoirs gravity distribution is adopted. Water is lifted to elevated storage reservoirs from the storage ground sunk provided in different sectors.

Due to dead stock available in Ujani dam even in present adverse conditions of no water in dam (gravity storage) the system is working. It is supplying about 60 MLD water since 1998.

Solapur city receives water from 3 sources:

A). Ekrukh Scheme: Ekrukh lake is located 8 Km. to the north of the city. Water is drawn through an intake tower conveyed to a break pressure tank through a 250 mm diameter connecting pipe line and further from break pressure tank to Bhavani Peth water works through 750 mm diameter gravity main. Treated water from Bhavani Peth is pumped to several service reservoirs (ground and elevated) for distribution in the city.

This source is functioning since 1876. However in 1930 capacity of source was upgraded to 27.5 MLD capacities but maintaining actual water supply from this source to 22.5 MLD. On account of various development activities taking place on the upstream side of Ekrukh Lake, the capacity to draw water from this lake has been reduced to 10 MLD during good capture. In last few decade years it is observed that many times during summer the lake dries up leading to water shortage.

B) Bhima River Scheme:



Head works consisting of intake well, 1200 mm diameter connecting pipe line, Jackwell and pump house, located on Bhima river at Takali. Raw water is pumped through a 1200-mm diameter. Rising main consist of M.S. Pipe from Headwork to break pressure tank and from break pressure tank to water treatment plant at Soregaon. Treated waters is pumped to a master balancing reservoir called Hill Service Reservoir which is a ground structure situated at the highest elevation in the vicinity of the city (at Jule Solapur). From the Hill Service Reservoir water supply gravitates to the various pump houses of the elevated service reservoirs and ground service reservoirs for distribution in the city.

The total water reservation in Ujjani dam is 12.00 TMC. Four times in a year water is let out so as to feed Auj Bandhara (208 km downstream)- recharge for Takali source. Water reaches this point, after 15 days. Nearly 3.00 TMC water is let out each time, whereas the capacity of Auj KT weir and Takali Bandhara is 0.2 TMC. Also, Irrigation Dept. is pressing hard to take water from Ujjani dam through conduit pipe to the treatment plant to reduce wastage of water on the route.

C) Ujjani. Scheme: This scheme is designed to supply 80.00MLD of water. Head-works is constructed in

Ujjani catchment. Raw water is pumped through 1016 mm diameter M S Pumping main 45 Km to break pressure tanks. 1100 mm diameter P S C gravity main has been laid upto water treatment plant at Pakani. Treated water is pumped through 1016-mm diameter M. S. pumping main to twin 2.5 ML reservoirs at Kondi. Water from twin reservoirs is conveyed by gravity through 1100 P.S.C. gravity mains 6.84 Km. upto junction point. From junction point two branch gravity mains have been laid. 864-mm diameter M.S. gravity main 8.705 Km. feeds Hill Services Reservoirs and 406 mm diameter M.S. gravity main 2.735 Km. feeds sump at Bhavani Peth water works.

Designed capacity of this scheme is 80.00MLD, 20.00 MLD water is reserved for MIDC as per the agreement with SMC and Designed carrying capacity of gravity main from Kondi MBR to HSR is 60.00MLD. Hence only 6OMLD water can be drawn from Ujjani source.

Status of Water Storage System:-

Sr. No. Water works existing Design capacity (MLD) Present utilization (MLD)1 Bhavani Peth 27.50 10.002 Soregaon 108.00 40.003 Ujjani dam 80.00 60.00.Total 215.50 110.00

There are 42 storage reservoirs (ESR’s & GSR’s) at 34 places of total capacity with HSR and MBR 96.66 MLD in the city.

Water supply:-

Zones Estimated Population (as of 2011) Water supply (MLD)



1 155741 19.782 168088 21.353 153882 19.544 156483 19.875 155578 19.766 163228 20.73Total 953000 121.03

Presently the total water supplied in the city is 121.03 MLD. Water is supplied on alternate days for 2-3 hours in an area which is around 127 LPCD.

Water is supplied on alternate days because of deficiency in storage capacity and distribution network. SMC has taken a project under UIDSSMT scheme to improve storage capacity and distribution networking. After completion of this project and Augmentation Source Project SMC can supply water to citizen as per norms of Service Level Benchmarking.

Water metering system is prevalent only for commercial establishments (3 % coverage).Water Distribution System:

SMC has nearly 324.41 km of distribution line, pipeline ranging from 700-80 mm diameter. There is a 218 km transmission line, its pipeline ranging from 1200-250 mm diameter. There are 42 ESRs and GSRs. Coverage of water supply connections

95 percent of the population in the city receives tap water accounting to 110 MLD. The remaining 5 percent population in fringe areas is covered through tankers due to non availability of water distribution network. This amounts to 11.03 MLD.

Extent of non-revenue water (NRW):-

As mentioned above water sources for Solapur city are Ujjani dam, Bhima river and Hipparga lake. Bhima river is 30 km away from the city and Ujjani dam is 110 km away from the city. Hence the transmission line of water supply is very long. Due to long distance of transmission line leakages are around 17-18 percent. At several places villagers report to breaking the pipes to fetch water. Also through 1800 public stand post (Nalkondali) free water supply is given to schools, slum households, garden, hospitals, Municipal offices, SMC staff, vegetable market, swimming pool, fire brigade etc. Some parts of the city receives water supply through tankers. Water distribution network of SMC is a very old and has leakages in valves and pipes of water supply distribution network. All these factors lead to non revenue water, which is around 40 percent.

Quality of water supplied :-

A total of 5033 water sample from different sources was tested; of which 4619 samples meet the specified potable standards. This reflects that 91.7 percent water meets the desired standard. Since most of the water distribution lines are old, there are leakages leading to water contamination. Water Supply distribution network of Solapur Municipal Corporation is very old and has leakages at several places. In gaothan areas, water pipelines are laid very close to



drainage lines, leading to contamination. Visible leaks are detected by watch and ward method and are attended from time to time. However there is no probing system (preventive maintenance) available at the ward level. There are separate units for 3 sources which monitors all transmission lines from source to MBR.

Cost recovery in water supply services:-

The rate at which water is supplied to the city is as follows:

For ½ inch connections

Description Amount chargedFlat rate for residential use Rs. 2205.00 per yearFlat rate for Non residential use Rs. 6624.00 per yearMeter rate for Residential use Rs. 9.00 per KL (1000 Liters)Meter rate for non residential use Rs. 28.80 per KL

For ¾ inch connections

Description Amount charged per year ( In Rs)Flat rate for residential use Rs. 5501.00 per yearFlat rate for Non residential use Rs. 18486.00 per yearMeter rate for Residential use Rs. 9.36 per KL (1000 Liters)Meter rate for non residential use Rs. 28.08 per KL

For 1 inch connections

Description Amount charged per year ( In Rs)Meter rate for Residential use Rs. 10.08 per KLMeter rate for non residential use Rs. 30.24 per KL

Total O& M cost for water supply services is 2334.83 lakhs. Income earned form charges are 1981.94 lakhs. This amounts to 84.88 percent of the costs required.

Efficiency in collection of water supply-related charges:-

The demand for water tax amounted to 38.113 cr and the total tax recovered was 17.902 crores in the current year. This shows that the collection efficiency is 46.97 percent.

Operation and maintenance:-



The O&M of water supply services is done at zone level and at head office level. Pipeline maintenance up to 12 inches diameter, leakage detection, valves repairs etc. are maintained by zone offices, while maintenance of main lines, pumps, water treatment plant etc. is done by head office.

Present Situation:-

Presently if all conditions are fulfilled with good storage at each source then the water availability is as follows.

Sr.no. Source Design Actual

1 From Ekrukh Tank 20 MLD 4 to 5 MLD

2 From Bhima River (Takli) 70 MLD 50 to 55 MLD

3 From Ujani dam 60 MLD 50 to 55 MLD

Total 150 MLD 104 to 115 MLD

With requirement of 110 liters per capita: per day for 10 lakh population water required will be 110 MLD. Additional water requirement is considered 30 MLD which totals up to requirement of 140 MLD I.e. present system is just sufficient to meet the demand in good environment. However when Ekrukh and Bhima River are not working efficiently then citizens are facing acute water problems. Therefore for future there must be new augmenting schemes otherwise the water scarcity will ride over the citizens.

Demand rate of water supply per capita - estimated by technical committee forecasting population of city given by Gokhale Institute, Pune.

Water supply Demand MLD

YEAR 1996 2011 2026

Total demand 149.60 182.50 256.00

Existing water supply 112.50 112.50 112.50

Net demand 40.00 70.00 140.00

For design purpose for the year 20ll - 24 hours capacity is considered as 80 MLD.

Due to leakages and wastage of water in old city area it is considered 155 lit / pc / day.


YEAR POPULATION

2001 9,12,941

2006 10,87,538

2011 13,28,322


Due to new connections in extension area it is considered 70 lit / pc / day, as available water supply.

Present facts and Policy:

The storage capacity of drinking water is relatively low throughout the city area.In some part of the city water is pumped and in some part water is distributed through gravity. It is also depend on the zonal reservoirs. Water is distributed through pipes consist of different diameters. The water supply system in the city covers whole developed area including slums. Total water storage capacity is less than the required quantity and therefore the reservoirs are filled up continuously during a day and distribution is done after a gap of one day in the area. Same area is divided in two parts for distribution as well different times of the day are selected during distribution to cater the needs.

Demand of water in various wards is different. It depends on density of population, industrial and commercial units and institutions. The supply of water is depending on transmission and distribution losses, stock of water, duration and pressure of water etc. If the demand of water is not matching with supply in wards then it results into unequal distribution of drinking water. Some wards get round the clock water whereas some wards hardly get water in the region.

All these factors resulted into increase in pressure on existing civic infrastructure. In the region, drinking water is not supplied on equitable basis and coverage is low. The reasons are topography, faulty and old pipeline, inadequate distribution system, transmission and distribution losses of water etc.

Water tariffs are low and it is not regularly paid by the consumers. Drinking water is used for commercial and construction purposes. Water use laws are weak and they are easily violated.

Water provided by the tankers in far flung areas have lower coverage. Such water cannot be stored by the households because it is provided in a lower quantity and poor households do not have storage facilities.

Treated potable water is used by household units for cooking, washing, bath and drinking purposes. The Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Commercial complexes, servicing units etc. are also using the potable water for drinking, cleaning. The fact to realize that potable water is used on large scale by all for sanitation, gardening, cleaning, and washing and for toilet purposes too i.e. large part of treated water is going as waste and further flowing through gutters to pollute the land and water.

In Solapur city area, demand of drinking water is continually increasing due to various factors. Increasing and spreading urbanization is a major factor. Water supply distribution is unequal in the extension regions. The far flung and newly added areas are not covered under the



water distribution system. In some wards, water supply pressure is very low. Unequal distribution of drinking water in terms of quality and quantity leads to water stress. The poor urban population spaced apart is often neglected from the distribution of drinking water and it is a major challenge. Under such odd situations use of groundwater is the only way left out. Thereby the extension areas are having maximum number of bore wells. However quality of such water is not tasted and is used directly for all purpose including drinking. This has posed number of health problems e.g. problems linked with digestive systems, kidney, skin, weak bones etc.

Water charges structure is low. It is not even to the level of maintaining the cost of treatment. Due to illegal and multiple connections, water tariff is not regularly paid. It is main factor behind lower revenue and recovery of the capital cost. Therefore there is need of drinking water supply management. It will be achieved through the citizen’s participation. Municipal Corporation must involve non-government organizations, research institutions and academicians in supply management process. There is need of regular revision of tariff structure.

The funds received by the Municipal Corporation must be utilized for water storage tanks and distribution system in respective area. Building small to big water tanks and modern but restricted distribution system linked with population concentration will reduce the lower water pressure in the boundary area. In the metropolitan area water distribution and transmission loss is high. Municipal Corporation can introduce the private partnership to locate and reduce the leakages and improve distribution system. The old distribution system must be replaced by new one. A systematic map of all distribution system must be prepared, updated and made available to citizens along with office.

Future & Suggestion:-

Additional pipeline similar to present one with double capacity is utmost essential and is an urgent need to implement the scheme at earliest.

Two separate pipe lines- one reserved for treatment and another for general use as raw water will help in development of the city.

Supply of raw water to the different villages placed on lateral sides may be thought off to cater their needs as well to divide the incurring cost. Further small units of treatment plants may be constructed in a collective group of villages.

The importance of additional pipeline is that there will be no evaporation loss or percolation loss of water which is presently occurring when water is supplied through canals and stream and river beds.

Supply of filtered water in restricted and required capacity for drinking purpose along with supply of raw water separately for general utility may be thought off. Similarly number of small to middle capacity centers for purification/ filtration of used water may be installed at suitable places.



New elevated reservoirs in different areas should come up at earliest to cater the needs of the growing population. The reservoirs position must be sector wise and may also be interconnected.

Distributaries in different areas must be restricted to the number of populations of the sectors. The planning should be as per capacity of reservoir and the requirement of population of the sector. If required the sectors should be divided accordingly

Artificial recharge / rain water harvesting schemes must be implemented in the geologically suitable areas of the town, especially in the extended areas. Municipal Corporation must create more awareness of roof rain water harvesting method and conduct training to architect engineers, plumbers etc.

There should be compulsion of continuous extended narrow pit surrounding the border of House, Flat, Bungalow, business complexes etc. to accommodate either rain water or any other to recharge the ground water along with plantation around.

Through percolation pits, with proper care of not polluting the water i.e. treated water after use, must be passed into the ground or through bore wells, dug wells etc. if are available. It may be stored in dug wells, artificial tanks etc. and may be reused after proper treatment especially for sanitation, washing, gardening etc.

Quarries must be started near Ekrukh tank in acquired areas of Government. The excavated material must be used for construction and as road material. The large excavated areas after few decades will serve as storage tanks. Further these quarries may be interconnected to get the supply of raw water or the water may be made available to filter plants or put in Ekrukh tank.

Minimum water supply must be provided at flat rate. If the use of water is increasing then there must be more tariffs. Corporation can charge heavily for extra and excess use of water than the prescribed or standardized requirement for a family / individuals etc. Water tariff for the commercial units must be much higher than the domestic units.

Municipal Corporations must reduce the connection deposit to increase the number of water connections. Free supply in any case must be banned; instead some minimum charges must be levied to avoid misuse of water.

A real need is to educate the people for proper, disciplined and minimum use of water. The filter water use must be restricted. They must be trained for using raw water, re-circulated water. To educate the city peoples in collaboration with the teachers, students and social organizations about the proper use of the drinking water, different methods of water conservation, preparing small advertisement, water supply situation etc.

Inter connecting Bhima & Krishna Rivers at upper reaches in Sahyadri Ghat, if considered, may fulfill the required conditions of flooding of Ujani Dam regularly as ghat region receives regular and high rain fall.

Getting water from Alamatti Dam in Bijapur District of Karnataka may be thought as one of the option in special cases or as permanent source.

Ground water resources are depleting and must be used only in adverse and severe scarcity period i.e. they must be considered as stand by source or arrangement and not as



permanent and regular dependable source. Underground inverted bunds in suitable cases and places will serve for the storage of ground water when monsoon is available.

New sites for preparation of minor to medium size tanks must be located scientifically in the different parts of the city especially in the parts of extended areas of corporation. This may be used as alternative source for nearby sectors.

Treatment of all types of utilized water on surface at different divisions and sectors is essential to control the pollution of ground water.

The recirculation of treated used water / waste water from industries, drainages filter plant etc. must be implemented

Acknowledgement:-

Author is thankful to the authorities of different Government offices and Solapur Municipal Corporation for providing the data.


development and assessment of drinking water supply schemes for solapur town

Education