Shimla regularly monitors water quality & supply in all its wards

SHIMLA: In a statement issued by BK Agarwal, chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh, said that the quality of water in Shimla is being monitored as coordination between all departments involved in water production and supply was being ensured. New initiatives by the government have ensured that all wards of Shimla had a daily supply of high grade water. Also, the water supply system was enhanced when old pumps at various locations were replaced.

“The filtration system at Gumma, Giri and Koti Brandi has been upgraded to ensure clean water. Water samples are taken by the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla from different locations for testing.” he said.

To ensure water sanitation was maintained at a high level, new steps have been implemented. “All storage tanks cleaned and locked twice a year in the presence of councillors and consumers,” the chief secretary added.

Also, in a bid to reduce the water bills, Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) has introduced volumetric billing, which sees a direct correlation between the amount of water used and pricing as all water units are priced the same independent of the use, and consumers pay proportionally to their water consumption. The revised tariff rates have seen a 50 per cent decline in the water bills for domestic users. Consumer data has also been digitized to issue online water bills from June this year.