The Hindu Business Line : AP plans Rs 220-crore project to recycle wastewater for industrial use

Putting wastewater into use for agricultural and industrial use, the Government decided to spend Rs 220-crore on a project that would supply four tmc of treated water.

Announcing this here on Friday at the two-day conference on `Water management', Mr V. Raja Reddy, Executive Director of Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), said there was a good opportunity and potential for the city to convert huge quantities of waste water it generated everyday.

The two-day conference was being organised by CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre.

Expressing concern over the water scenario in the State capital, Mr Raja Reddy said ever increasing population had put a lot of pressure on groundwater levels. "The groundwater levels are falling by one to three metres every year," he said.

To face this daunting task, the Board had taken up measures to conserve water. A special cell had been created to promote rainwater and groundwater harvesting.

Mr John Armstrong, Senior Vice-President of PA Consulting Group, spoke on the worsening water scenario in India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular, a CII-GBC press release said.

Stating that India drew groundwater heavily due to the heavy dependence on surface water for agricultural use, he said quality of water was a serious issue with 40 per cent of AP's population exposed to unsafe water. As a result, eight per cent of the population were exposed to serious health risks.

Proposing an action plan for conserving water, he said a coordinated effort by individuals, local communities and policy makers was essential to face the challenge.

Mr Sanjay C. Kirloskar, Chairman of GBC's Water Management Council, called for efforts to adopt innovative and cost effective approaches to conserve water.

Stressing on the importance of building a better water infrastructure, he said that public - private partnerships would be very much helpful.

More Stories on : Water | Andhra Pradesh

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