MIDC’s major industrial unit near Trans Thane Creek (TTC) at Shil phata, Navi Mumbai has installed 1600mm diameter flow meter made by Swiss major Endress+Hauser on MIDC pipeline that harnesses water from Barvi dam via Jambhul Water Treatment Plant.

MIDC has, over the years, created a vast, robust and reliable water supply system and is responsible for catering to the water needs of the industries within MIDC industrial areas and also those outside, in the adjoining areas and supplies water to Mahape TTC and few civil establishments too for e.g. also meets water requirements of the famed ‘Palava’ residential township project in the region.

In this newly installed system which is flowing through is 11000 M3 per hour.  The main advantage of this new installation is to reduce the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) -the difference between water entering the system and water billed to customers – in developing countries. Losses can be real losses (through leaks, sometimes also referred to as physical losses) or apparent losses (for example through unauthorised use or metering inaccuracies).

The World Bank has estimated the total cost of NRW to utilities worldwide at US$14 billion per year. By reducing the current levels of losses in developing countries to half, where relative losses are highest, could generate an estimated US$2.9 billion in cash and serve an additional 90 million people.

MIDC had to earlier rely on ultrasonic flow meter that failed to provide accurate and exact readings hence water calculation was an issue. Post the installation of new flow meters and systems they are able to control exact percentage NRW by bringing it down considerably during last 1 year. MIDC recognises the need to bring down NRW, increase revenue and proactive network maintenance.

MIDC executive engineer, Prakash Chavan said, “We have recently installed this water management technology as it is vital to save as much water as possible in today’s scenario.”

The electronic flow meters log data at regular intervals. While leakages are monitored daily, reactive leak detection is carried out for further action. The daily water requirement in TTC is around 50 MLD (million litres per day).

Saliva Nath, Managing Director, Endress+Hauser, India says, “We have reduced the Non Revenue Water (NRW) through our innovative technology to conserve water in India. MIDC has installed Endress+Hauser’s highest accuracy flow measurement technology with a much higher precision and accuracy as compared to traditional measuring methods. The technology adds a cutting edge function which enables appropriate analysis, wherein both the sender and receiver get a tally of water sent and received. This end-to-end data is available on GSM or GPRS, and is transferred to the server and can also be transferred to the mobile device of the concerned MIDC official in charge. The water measurement is precise which leads to accurate measurement and exact quantity monitoring thus reducing the water wastage. This works on electro magnetic principle. In a tough time like this when water is scarce in a state like Maharashtra our measurement devices help save water, this gives us both satisfaction and pride that we are contributing to the people of India because we strongly believe every drop of water counts and if we can reduce water losses we will contribute to the betterment of the society. Endress+Hauser have earlier worked with the water supply department of Pune Municipal Corporation in a project aiming to provide a boost to the water resources and largely address the problem of water shortage in the city. The company has been associated with similar projects in the states of Tamilnadu, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh”.

To monitor flows in the distribution network, 3 higher diameter size electromagnetic flow meters have been installed, which log data at every 1 hour intervals. While leakages are monitored daily and reported weekly, reactive leak detection is carried out. These efforts have led to a decline in the number of leakages. MIDC, TTC presents an inspiring example of an integrated urban water management that has eluded a number of Indian and Asian cities. There is scope for other utilities across India and other developing countries to adopt and adapt several of the actions taken by MIDC.

About Endress+Hauser
Endress+Hauser is recognised as a leading supplier of industrial measurement and automation equipment, providing services and solutions for industrial processes all over the world. The company has a plant in Aurangabad and exports its products to South East Asian companies, South Africa and Australia. The company has around 6000 client base in India and partners with Reliance, BPCL, HPCL, BHEL, CPCL and Hatsun in Tamil Nadu to name a few.  It offers comprehensive process solutions for flow, level, pressure, analysis, temperature, recording and digital communications across a wide range of industries, optimising processes in regards to economic efficiency, safety and environmental protection.