Every Drop Counts: Experts say saving water individual duty too

Although supplying water is a duty to be fulfilled by the civic body, realising the resource as precious and saving it is an individual's duty too. This was the chief takeaway for the residents of Evershine Millennium Paradise residents, who gathered in the cultural hall of their complex on Sunday morning, to attend DNA's initiative "Every Drop Counts". The event was organised in association with the Soch Sayani group.

"Every Drop Counts" — an initiative to create awareness among residents — was started with regard to 10 per cent water cuts announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) due to a drop in the water level at dams and lakes that supply water to the city.

Water conservation expert and BMC's former hydraulic engineer Madhukar Kamble explained the history and journey of water from lakes to taps. He said that the water comes travels for 150 kilometre to reach the city. It requires crores of rupees to build a dam, construct tunnels, install pipelines, make water treatment plans, and to maintain and take care of leakages. However, despite good rains, there was a sudden fall in the city's water level.

The BMC imposed a 10 per cent water cut in the recent past but, the residents of Evershine complex haven't faced water scarcity yet. They have a good storage capacity and 24-hour water supply. Yet, the residents were enthusiastic about the water conservation campaign. "The civic body is doing its duty. But we can't shrug off our responsibility. It is more essential to save water if you don't face scarcity of water. If you use less water, areas where taps are running dry can get water," said Madhukar Kamble.

During the campaign, residents expressed their views, asked questions on saving water and even shared measures they have already started implementing to conserve water. Dr Pratik Patil suggested an innovative way to save water. "We normally use a pipe to wash vehicles. It is said that using a bucket instead helps save water. But dry cleaning is a new way which doesn't require water," said Dr Patil. S K Sahu, chairman of Raheja Society, who attended the seminar, distributed nozzles to ensure that less water at a higher pressure can be used. It is one of the many initiatives of their society to conserve water. He was keen to know more about stopping leakages in flush tanks and ways to repair them.

Harha Udipi, a resident of the Evershine society, said that awareness should reach to housemaids. "They are the ones who take care of house chores. If they use water judiciously, it will help them a lot. Many times they keep the tap open while washing utensils or clothes. We must encourage them to save water," Udipi added.

"They work in at least five to six houses daily. Keeping the taps open saves their time. It is a socio-economic factor and must be dealt with sensibility," suggested Kamble. Veny Iyyer, another resident of the Evershine complex, was interested in Rain Water Harvesting. Participants asked about the recycling plant of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The civic body is going to invest hundreds of crores in these plant. But, if we can reuse basin water in the toilets and toilet water in the gardens at an individual level, is the million dollar question.

MISS THE WATER BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY

Members of Kandivali’s Evershine society join hands in saving every drop of water. they vow to work toward a goal

• 3 – Societies in all
   
• 2,500 – Number of residents (approximately)
   
• 10% – Amount of water cut implemented by the BMC
   
• Rainwater Harvesting: not done yet
   
• Have a good storage system

DAILY REMINDERS

• Madhukar Kamble, ex-deputy municipal commissioner and hydraulic engineer in the BMC, suggested effective ways to conserve water
   
• Drinking water shouldn’t be used for plants. Instead, kitchen water can be used; it is beneficial for the plants  
   
• Don’t store water more than what you need. And, if you store, then don’t throw it away the next day  
   
• Nozzles help in saving water. It will increase the pressure of water for washing utensils or even hands and face  

Neera Sharma, Resident, Evershine Millennium Paradise

Water conservation is a big problem nowadays, especially because of water scarcity. A few years ago, we too faced water shortage in our society. With the help and efforts of society members, we are trying to save water. Now, people are aware of its importance. The expert said that water will be the reason for the next war 

Shivani Smith, Resident, Evershine Millennium Paradise

I am very happy to attend this seminar. Saving water and taking steps toward it is very important. We can do it at an individual level. I want and hope this drive is carried on further. More campaigns should be organised because, only by repeating the causes and effects, the subject will get registered in people’s minds 

SK Sahu, Chairman, Raheja Eternity Society 

We follow quite a few measures to save water in our society. We installed an irrigation system in November for a garden. It hardly cost us Rs 3,000 for 150 sq metre of area. The system saves water. Also, it does not require manpower. We don’t use drinking water for cleaning floors, cars, or gardening. Such workshops are needed 

Anand Subramanyam, Chairman, Evershine Millennium Paradise 

Thanks to DNA and Soch Sayani for making an initiative at the micro level. The drive connects societies and smaller communities. We must train people at the micro level, make them know by sharing relevant information. This will help us in reaping results in the long run. Saving water is a must for everybody  

Neerav Salvi, Resident, Evershine Millennium Paradise

I think modern lifestyle comes with a lot of problems, wastage of water is one of them. We use so many products unnecessarily, like extra soap, face cream, shampoo, shaving cream, and so on. A lot of water is wasted in washing these off. Individual monitoring can help us in saving a lot of water