Mass responsibility: Water meters to tick across state

By Mahesh Langa

Ahmedabad, Dec. 24: The state government has decided to install bulk water supply meters across the state to rationalise usage of water. But the million dollar question is will it prevent rampant wastage and rationalise water usage? State water resources minister Narottam Patel is positive about the proposal whereas NGOs recommend house-to-house metering as a better option.

Talking to The Indian Post, state water resources minister Narottam Patel said the government has taken a decision in this regard and implementation will begin from April 1, 2004. "We want to measure the bulk of water being supplied to local civic bodies like panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations," he said, adding "sufficient water supply and its effective metering is the need of the hour".

When asked whether house-to-house metering would be a more effective mechanism to monitor consumption and prevent wastage, he said it is up to the local civic bodies to decide which system to go for.

Nafeesa Barot, executive trustee of Utthan, said it is doubtful whether the system proposed by the government will solve the problems. "Water is a valuable commodity and therefore house-to-house metering is a pre-requisite to prevent wastage. Unfortunately, the government has left it out."

House-to-house water metering system has been successfully installed in many parts of the country and it has worked wonders. VIKSAT director S. Mudrakartha said, "Gujarat being a drought prone area with erratic rainfall, water is too precious a commodity to be wasted. The only way to solve perennial water problem is house to house metering and spreading awareness among the people."