Government Departments and public service providers like the metro were on Wednesday given one month by the Delhi Jal Board to come up with a plan for stopping the use of groundwater and drinking water for non-potable purposes.
“Failing this, we will take legal action against the Departments,” added Jal Board spokesperson Sanjam Chima.
Since there is a shortfall of about 240 million gallons (MGD) of treated water per day, the water utility is trying to promote the use of treated effluents for non-potable purposes, including horticulture and construction.
On Wednesday, it held a workshop to that effect for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the Public Works Department, the Central Public Works Department, Pragati Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, the three municipal corporations and the Railways.
At the workshop, the Jal Board told the representatives that their Departments put a huge pressure on water resources and it that the same can be reduced by using treated effluent.
Currently, 142 MGD of treated effluent is being used by different government agencies, whereas 200 MGD more can be used.
Jal Board Chief Executive Officer Vijay Kumar told the Departments’ representatives to submit their proposals within a month, since depleting groundwater levels mean that its use cannot be permitted.
