Water meters to be installed soon in Noida

After the hike in water tariff by 25 per cent last month, the Noida Authority has now decided to install meters in all group housing societies and industrial units. This move will help regulate the bills and check wastage of water.

According to a senior official, once the residents start paying their bills as per the usage, they will be able to check wastage of water. The Noida Authority supplies water for three hours in morning (6 am to 9 am) and evening (6 pm to 9 pm). While Noida generates 150-200 MLD of wastewater every day.

"We will install water meters for the bulk customers such as in high-rise societies and industrial sectors in the beginning. After this, we will install the water meters in individual households," said SC Arora, a senior project engineer of Noida Authority.

In the last three decades, water consumption was charged at fixed annual rates. The Authority has now floated an online tender to hire a private agency for the installation work. The budget is Rs 50 lakh for the installation of water meters.

So far, the Noida Authority used to charge Rs 175 from MIG (middle-income group) flat owners, Rs 210 from HIG (high-income group) flat owners, Rs 260 from duplex flat owners, Rs 250 from owners of 200 sqm plots and Rs 470 from owners of 350 sqm plots.

"The plan is to install water meters in buildings which get supply from the 50mm-pipeline or bigger. There are around 400 such consumers. Once the meters will be installed, we will decide on the water rates per kilolitres for bulk consumers. The work on the installation of meters will be started within two months," said Arora.

Many consumers keep their taps on when water is being supplied. This causes massive water wastage. If we install meters, we will be able to calculate their exact consumption and charge them accordingly. On the other hand, residents also welcomed this decision of the Noida Authority.

"On several previous occasions, we have suggested Noida Authority to install meters, regulate bills and systematise the billing system for water consumption in high rise buildings," said Rajiv Singh, President of Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Association (NOFAA).

THE MOTIVE

• Many consumers keep their taps on when water is being supplied. This causes massive water wastage. Once the water meters gets installed, the Authority will be able to calculate the exact consumption and charge the consumers accordingly