After setting up an effluent treatment plant (ETP) in its affiliate hospitals, the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) plans to sell treated water to builders and private industries.
Around 1,000 kilolitres of treated water generated from the plant every day is now being let out into the sanitary network in the absence of dual pipelines that enable its recirculation.
Concerned over wastage of the treated water, BMCRI is now offering to sell it at a “negotiable price”.
The treated water from effluents generated by the Victoria, Minto and Vani Vilas hospitals can be used by builders and private industries for non-potable purposes such as construction, watering gardens and flushing toilets.
Price negotiable
“Considering there is perennial water shortage in the city, our treated water can be used for construction or gardening by builders or private companies. We're ready to offer it at a negotiable price without calling for tenders for the first few months,” BMCRI Dean and Director O.S. Siddappa told The Hindu .
The ETPs were set up at nine government hospitals following a direction from the Karnataka High Court Lok Adalat.
The adalat had directed the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to close down the hospitals if they did not comply with the order.
BMCRI worked out a project to set up a dual water pipeline on the hospital premises to ensure proper use of the treated water (for gardening and flushing toilets), but work has not started, he said.
BMCRI had deposited Rs. 55 lakh with the Public Works Department (PWD) for this, he said. Srinivas C., PWD Assistant Executive Engineer in charge of the work, said there was no response from contractors to tenders for the dual pipeline work called for two months ago.
“The contractors say that the Government's schedule of rate is far less than the market price. Taking up the work would not bring them any profits. We have now decided to negotiate and offer a higher price. Tenders have been called for again,” he said.
Dr. Siddappa said the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which had executed the ETP project, would maintain it for a year.
