The new water distribution system from the Dwarka Water Treatment Plant was approved by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday. While the Rs 133.5-crore project was cleared, other tertiary treatment projects were also given a go-ahead to reduce the use of potable water for non-potable uses.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit chaired the 92nd meeting of the DJB on Tuesday. The design and construction of the 10 MLD (million litres per day) tertiary treatment plant at Okhla, the tertiary water pumping station and the distribution network, on design, build and operate basis, was approved for 10 years at a cost Rs 20.86 crore.

“The plant is being set up as part of DJB’s initiative to reduce the use of potable water for non-potable uses. After construction of this plant, 10 MLD of secondary-treated sewage from the existing 16-MGD (million gallons per day) sewage treatment plant (STP) will be treated at the tertiary level,” DJB spokesperson Sanjam Chima said.

The higher quality tertiary-treated water might then be supplied to the Okhla Industrial Estate and nearby the DTC depots for washing buses and other bulk consumption to save on potable water, an official said.

The board also gave its approval for the construction of a 25-MGD effluent pumping station at the Rithala STP for carrying 33.34 MGD of treated effluent to the Pragati Power Corporation Ltd at Bawana. The project, also on a design, build and operate basis, was approved at a cost of Rs 77.04 crore. “Work is likely to be completed in one year,” an official said.

“In order to meet the power requirements of the Capital for the 2010 Games, the Pragati Power Corporation Ltd will produce 1,500 MW of power, for which the Rithala STP will supply 25 MGD of treated effluent,” Chima said.