Treated water for gardening at President''s Estate

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8 

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, inaugurated the first-ever sewage treatment plant (STP) of the capacity of 20 lakh litre per day at President's Estate today. The STP was constructed with an eye to using treated sewage water for gardening.

Among the dignitaries on the occasion were Najeeb Jung, Lt. Governor of Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister; and Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, a spokesperson of the President House said. 

The President's Estate has over 190.5 acres of greenery, including the famous Mughal Gardens. There is, however, an acute shortage of water for horticulture, especially during in summer which has led to degradation of the green cover and also resulted in the permanent loss of some variety of flora. The non-availability of adequate water was also adversely affecting the fauna, he said. 

The total water supply to the President's Estate from the NDMC and other sources is in the range of 16-18 lakh litres per day out of which 80 per cent becomes sewage. This sewage and additional quantity tapped from North Avenue and South Avenue Network System will be treated and utilized for horticulture. 

The project includes a wetland which has been designed and planted with various species of trees, shrubs, etc. This wetland will support the flora and fauna in the region. 

The capacity of the existing Dalikhana Lake which serves as the collection point of treated water has been increased three times from its earlier capacity and is now a water body of 5 million litre.