Water pumps that are not energy efficient are upping the water board’s electricity bill each month by 10 to 15 per cent. As per initial readings of an energy audit which started in June, it was found that 90 per cent of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supplies and Sewerage Board’s (HMWS&SB) pumps are inefficient.
The board currently pays an electricity bill of ₹ 75 crore per month. If the pumps were energy efficient the bill could have come down by ₹ 8 crore to ₹10 crore, Zenith, the company which is conducting the energy audit has informed the water board. The last energy audit in the city was conducted a decade ago. Efficiency improvement measures suggested by the old audit was, however, not implemented.
While efficiency level of pumps should be 75 per cent and above, in most areas it ranged between 30 to 50 per cent. In some areas including parts of Jubilee Hills the efficiency of pumps were between 19 per cent and 71 per cent. In Banjara Hills Phase I, most pumps were only 23 to 27 per cent effective. In the same area, the highest performing pump was only 70 per cent efficient. In Banjara Hills phase two energy efficiency of pumps was as low as 38 per cent.
A total of 120 out 540 pumps operated by the board are audited so far.
Speaking to The Hindu, Venugopal Reddy, Director (Revenue) of HMWS&SB said, “The exercise started after the board decided to reduce costs by improving efficiency. We have so far found that all old pumps are of low efficiency and hence consuming more energy. Once the audit is complete we will take measures to either replace or repair the pumps.” Most inefficient pumps are those which are 15 to 20 years old.
The audit found that in older but prominent areas of the city like MLA Colony, efficiency was as low as 20 per cent. In Kukatpally Housing Board Colony efficiency ranged between 46 per cent to 73 per cent. In newly developed parts of the city like Gachibowli, however, pumps had 81 per cent efficiency.
According to water board officials, some of the pumps might need teflon coating of blades, rewinding or replacement. “Investment on repairs and replacements can be recovered within two years as efficient pumps will reduce the electricity bills per month by 10 to 15 per cent,” Mr. Reddy explained. The energy audit is expected to conclude by the end of August.
