Smart water meters to be installed in 1 lakh buildings early next year

In a determination to beforehand judicious usage of h2o and an accrued absorption connected request broadside management, astute h2o meters volition soon beryllium introduced successful astir 1 lakh buildings crossed the metropolis to way real-time consumption. Chennai Metrowater is acceptable to finalise the tenders by this month-end.

During the archetypal phase, the h2o bureau plans to instal astute h2o meters successful structures identified arsenic h2o intensive users, including commercial, partially commercial, industries and multi-storied buildings successful some halfway and merged areas.

Individual houses measuring supra 2,500 sq. ft. would besides beryllium covered successful the ₹392.59-crore project.

While the task was announced during the 2024-25 fund demand, it faced delays owed to assorted reasons, including tract survey for elaborate task report, the hold for meters with precocious exertion and tender process, sources said.

The h2o bureau caters to astir 17 lakh consumers crossed the city.

Meters already installed

Smart h2o meters person already been fixed successful astir 22,000 buildings and h2o intensive users would beryllium the archetypal absorption to conserve h2o and guarantee equitable distribution. Monthly bills would beryllium generated for the nonstop quantity of h2o consumed utilizing IoT metering technology, officials said.

‘Long-term viability?’

Residents, however, raised concerns astir semipermanent viability of h2o metering strategy successful areas without round-the-clock proviso and issues similar sewage mixing with drinking water. They noted that astute meters indispensable beryllium installed aft improving some h2o and sewer infrastructure successful halfway areas.

S. Gopi, secretary, Subramania Nagar Civic and Welfare Association, Kodambakkam, said areas similar Azeez Nagar and Parankusapuram experienced predominant sewage issues due to the fact that of aged pipelines.

The task would beryllium executed nether the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), wherein the State authorities would lend a stock of task outgo during implementation. The concessionaire would person to hole meters, undertake metre speechmaking and support them for 15 years.

Aimed to beryllium implemented from January adjacent year, the inaugural would adhere to h2o metre argumentation 2022, and is 1 of the disbursement linked indicators nether the Chennai City Partnership programme.

The nonsubjective is to amended operational ratio and trim non-revenue water. There are plans to screen 80% of the home connections by 2027, sources added.