Surat Municipal Corporation has succeeded in institutionalizing reforms in operation and maintenance practices in water management. It achieved this through optimal investments in technology, refining procedures and practices, and standards. With minimal investments, operating practices were improved, additional monitoring instruments were procured, plant downtime was reduced, and customer satisfaction was improved.
Surat, located in the western part of India in Gujarat, is a very dynamic city with a fast growth-rate due to immigration from various parts of India. As per the Census 2001, the present population of Surat urban agglomeration is 2,811,614. The city has seen an unprecedented growth in the last four decades, recording one of the highest growth rates in the country, and a 10-fold population rise. The city is known for its textile trade, and diamond cutting and polishing industries. The outbreak of plague in 1994 highlighted the highly inadequate urban infrastructure of the city. Surat is known for its strengths in converting adversity into advantage.
Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has developed a well-established, networked supply system providing drinking water to 30 lakh people with 3.25 lakh service connections in the city limits of 334 sq. km. There are ten major water distribution stations and four pumping stations for the effective distribution of treated water in various parts of the city. All waterworks, water distribution stations and pumping stations are connected to the grid network. This interconnects them so that water can be supplied by the waterworks or distribution stations in case of poor functioning or shutdown of any individual waterworks.

The water supply system comprises a large network spread over 2,550 km. Currently, the SMC is supplying more than 680 million liters water per day (MLD) of water, against the installed capacity of 828 MLD. However, with the increase in demand for water supply, there is a requirement of enhanced storage capacity and associated infrastructure like water treatment plants (WTPs), distribution stations etc. It was also observed that the operation and maintenance (O&M) practices in the existing system were highly inadequate.

The O&M staff carried out only routine maintenance, particularly during breakdowns. They were not aware of the quantity-related measurements and critical operating parameters, and did not have equipment to measure them. They were not clear about their roles and responsibilities, and were unaware of minimum safety measures. Preventive and predictive maintenance activities were not conceptualised for electrical and mechanical machines. Critical operating parameters like power factor, voltage, ampere, contract demand for power, water flow rate etc. were not measured or checked. Routine shutdown for cleaning and energy-conservation measures, and related improvements, were not practised. This led to the mismanagement of water treatment plants in maintaining the desired quality of treated water.
All operational functions of waterworks were standardised in accordance with Auality Management System ISO 9001:2000, and responsibilities were clearly delegated. Preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for electrical and mechanical machinery, and those relating to routine breakdown, as well as water quality control measures, were formulated and executed. A dedicated electrical and mechanical maintenance team for preventive and predictive maintenance work was constituted. Calibration, service and maintenance works of the instruments/equipment was contracted out to authorised service agencies.

Safety measures relating to electrical and mechanical systems as per the Factory Act, including mock drills, were taken up. A Quality Control Engineering Department for quality monitoring of engineering materials departmentally was created. An online water-quality monitoring system to monitor and judge the performance of WTPs was established. Material management software to maintain inventories, and to generate periodic reports for material under stock, re-order quantity etc., was introduced.

Through a unique grid-network approach, a capability and self-sufficiency plan was developed to ensure uninterrupted water supply even in contingency/abnormal situations. Flow meters were installed at water treatment plants, distribution stations, and for industrial customers. Security measures at waterworks stations and reservoir levels were strengthened with the assistance of the Central Industrial Security Force. Finally, a vendor-appraisal system was developed for a smooth and transparent tendering process.

As a part of O&M reforms, several innovative practices were introduced. They include:

• A grid-connected water network was put in place to maintain continuity in water supply, to ensure consistent quality and quantity of water supplied, and for transmitting water via energy-efficient routes.
• An Emergency Response Centre was established to ensure uninterrupted water supply even during emergencies.
• Conventional coagulant alum was replaced with advanced coagulant—polyaluminium chloride (PAC), since 2003–04.
• a weeding machine was purchased for the removal of floating, submerged and rooted vegetation.

Preventive and predictive maintenance have become part of regular maintenance. With a dedicated electrical and mechanical maintenance team in place, breakdowns in electric and mechanical systems have reduced significantly.Installation of ultrasonic-type flow meters for water quantity measurement helped the hydraulic department of the SMC to assess water losses during water treatment. Online water-quality monitoring system has minimised the wastage of chemicals and assured better quality of water to the customers. Timely calibration of inspection has enabled the Department to generate reliable data on the performance of instruments/equipments.
Technical and financial measures, in particular, the institutionalization of predictive and preventive maintenance, have resulted in a marked reduction in failures of equipment and downtime of plants. Further, a significant increase in revenue from industrial consumers has also resulted. Overall customer satisfaction is also perceptible.

For further details, contact:

Ms. S. Aparna, IAS
Municipal Commissioner
Surat Municipal Corporation
Muglisara, Surat – 395 003