Aurangabad, June 23:
The cash-strapped Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has officially decided upon outsourcing the operation and maintenance of its Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of 5 MLD capacity, situated at Salim Ali Lake, for a period of five years. The AMC hopes that the initiative will help enhance the utility of STP. Meanwhile, the AMC will also set up a new refilling water station near the entrance gate of STP so that it can generate an income through selling treated water.
The AMC deputy engineer (sewage) Anil Tanpure said, " The STP of 5 MLD capacity was commissioned in 2013. A sum of Rs 6.87 crore was spent on it. The AMC's proposal was approved and funded through the then Marathwada Statutory Development Board (MSDB) in 2007. The plant is equipped with state-of-the-art SBR technology. Presently, the contractor, who had built the property, is maintaining it. The STP functions round the clock and more than 2 MLD sewage is treated. We are releasing the treated water in the Lake, but if the STP is under maintenance then, we do not take a risk and release the treated water or in a bypass sewer line."
Tanpure added, there is a dearth of expert staff required to operate and maintain the STP. Hence we are outsourcing it for a fresh term of five years. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.55 crore. The agency will be responsible for replacing any damaged spare or component or overhaul the machinery etc. Besides, the AMC will be paying the monthly electricity bill (of Rs 2.5 lakh) regularly. To compensate for this expense, the AMC will sell the treated water. The contractor will also be responsible to maintain the pollution parameters fixed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
It may be noted that the municipal commissioner A K Pandey is taking efforts to find buyers for the treated water generated from the AMC's various STPs. Last year, the AMC collected Rs 6 lakh against providing water for the construction of Samruddhi Mahamarg.
New Refilling station soon
The deputy engineer (sewage) said, " We will soon be constructing a water refilling station, near the entrance gate of the STP. We have procured the pipes required to construct the station. The AMC's mechanical section will start the work in a few days. The citizens can bring their tankers and fill the water at the refilling station on paying the charges. The treated water can be used for agriculture purposes, construction of roads, properties, etc. The water will be made available at the rate of Rs 25-30 per kilolitre (one kilolitre = 1000 litres). "