Delhiites will soon be able to drink water derived from sewage if they want, with the Delhi Jal Board starting its first ‘toilet-to-tap’ initiative.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the pilot project, called Sujala Dhara, at the Keshopur wastewater treatment plant on Thursday. The Rs.55 lakh initiative was funded by the NGO Sana to give Delhi a sustainable drinking water source.
Mr. Kejriwal, among those who drank the treated water, said since 50 per cent of Delhi is not connected to the sewer network and 81 per cent has piped water supply, the government was looking at alternatives.
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“The government needs over Rs. 20,000 crore for putting a conventional sewerage system into place. Instead, we propose to set up decentralised plants that will make all of Delhi sewered and give water in every tap,” said Mr. Kejriwal.
He said this could be done using the amount households pay as development charges.
DJB chairperson Kapil Mishra added that the water utility would work towards ending its reliance on tankers and providing all Delhiites piped supply. The plant at Keshopur works by screening raw sewage and then pumping it to a biofilter, which is made of five layers of organic and inorganic materials like earthworms, cotton extracts, bacteria, organic sand, pebbles and stones. Then, the treated sewage is pumped into the membrane system, where it is chlorinated. This leaves the water fit for drinking.
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The plant is powered by solar energy, reducing operating costs and boosting its green quotient. Though the plant has the capacity to produce 25 million litres a year and 66,000 litres a day, it is yet to stabilise.
A senior DJB official said: “Initially the plant will produce about 4,000 litres a day, but will be ramped up when it stabilises.”
Though the plant will be producing drinking quality water, it remains to be seen if it finds any takers, rather drinkers. The DJB and Sana are planning an awareness programme before offering the treated water to locals in the area.