Drinking Water

Drinking Water

Surat city with a population of about 50 lakhs draws 1300 MLD of fresh water from the River Tapi River. The River has a long path from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and finally meet at Indian Ocean near Surat in Gujarat. Majority of water of River Tapi is discharged from Ukai Dam, on the way from Ukai Dam to Surat, the River water gets contaminated by untreated or partially effluents discharged by as many as 100 to 150 outlets including domestic waste water from different villages, Industrial effluents and many small outlet of some commercial development around River Tapi besides washing, cleaning bathing including cattle. Due to contamination and decrease in flow during dry season, the River water quality is badly affected. In order to get rid of harmful microbes and the dissolved organic matter, the water is heavily chlorinated by the Surat Water Supply department since its treatment facilities are not effective to handle such water. Excess amount of residual chlorine in drinking water has the potential to cause cancers (due to chloramine formation). Hence, Tapi Action plan is required for maintaining quality of River Tapi. Planis required to prevent contamination and modernization of treatment disinfection Technology. The Tapi action plan should also include enhancement of it’s carrying capacity to meet the growing demands of the expanding city and its industries.