The new sewerage project, to be taken up at a total cost of ₹ 762 crore in two phases, to supply tertiary treated water from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to the industry, is expected to reduce the demand-supply gap of drinking water supply to the citizens, according to GVMC Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan.
The project, which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday, envisages an investment of ₹ 412 crore in the I-phase, for which the DPR was ready. The overall project provides for developing a 716-km sewage collection network in Pendurthi, Gajuwaka and Malkapuram areas, Mr. Hari Narayanan told a media conference here on Tuesday.
It propose to utilise the capacity of the existing water treatment plant at Narava for UF and RO treatment and conveyance of the treated water to the industries. He said Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) and HPCL had expressed their interest to take 77 MLD. The multi purpose project would help in preventing pollution of sea due to release of untreated waste water into the sea, making available fresh water for drinking water purpose by meeting the water needs of industries by providing them treated sewerage water.
First phase
Of the ₹ 412 crore to be spent in the first phase, the GVMC would bear only ₹ 150 crore while the remaining ₹262 crore would be arranged as term loan by the AP Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited (APUIAML). The safe disposal of sewerage water and conservation of fresh water were both the responsibilities of the corporation.
The total water demand of the industry was around 465 MLD but the supply was only 305 MLD, leaving a gap of 160 MLD. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations say an individual requires 135 lpcd (litres per capita a day) of water, GVMC was in a position to supply only about 100 lpcd to the citizens.
The total capacity of STP s in the city was 200 MLD, of which the expected recycled water potential was only 140 MLD. The use of treated sewage water would provide an opportunity to GVMC in enhancing the water supply to citizens.
The supply price of recycled water was yet to be fixed, he said in response to a query.
