28,500 households to get water meters, to be charged per litre

  • | Monday | 18th February, 2019

CHENNAI: Metrowater is not just losing water due to leakages but also revenue. Smart cards will be issued to water lorry operators to ensure that water theft and loss are curbed at pumping stations. The meters that exist hardly function.Non-revenue water is one that is not accounted for and is not billed. None of the commercial establishments or residences has a water meter installed, stated the TWIC study conducted in T Nagar People pay a fixed water charge every month which is not based on consumption. The meters will be supplied by Metrowater which should be purchased by the residents.Private players who installed such meters in Bengaluru, Pune and in some houses in Chennai found that water consumption dropped by 35% once the meters started running.“In T Nagar, 28,500 households will get these meters in the first phase.

CHENNAI: Metrowater is not just losing water due to leakages but also revenue. None of the commercial establishments or residences has a water meter installed, stated the TWIC study conducted in T Nagar People pay a fixed water charge every month which is not based on consumption. The meters that exist hardly function.Non-revenue water is one that is not accounted for and is not billed. In T Nagar, it is about 45% including 22% of leakages.As on March 2018, Metrowater had about 8,76,891 consumers who paid water charges. But Greater Chennai Corporation collects property tax from 12.5 lakh households.“This will change soon and we will bring every household under the ambit. Many residences completely depend on private supply,” said a Metrowater official.The department has already floated tenders for digital meters that will be fixed at residences to monitor water usage. Payment will be made as per litres consumed. The meters will be supplied by Metrowater which should be purchased by the residents.Private players who installed such meters in Bengaluru, Pune and in some houses in Chennai found that water consumption dropped by 35% once the meters started running.“In T Nagar, 28,500 households will get these meters in the first phase. It would be extended to other areas later,” said an official. Apart from this, remote monitoring will be done to ensure leakages are reduced. Meters will be installed at supply and distribution points. Smart cards will be issued to water lorry operators to ensure that water theft and loss are curbed at pumping stations.

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