In a major push towards water conservation, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is preparing to introduce real-time monitoring of treated water usage across 100 major parks in the national capital. The move aims to prevent wastage and ensure that water treated at Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) is used strictly for irrigation, gardening, and plantation purposes.
Live Monitoring System for STP Water Use
Under the new plan, DDA will install automated, real-time monitoring systems at STPs located inside parks. These systems will continuously track both the quality and quantity of treated water being produced and used.
Officials said the system will be capable of monitoring up to 100 kilolitres of treated water per day, ensuring that no treated water is misused or discharged improperly.
To implement the project, DDA has invited Expressions of Interest from specialised firms that will design, install, and operate the automation systems.
Focus on Water Quality and STP Performance
The monitoring system will track critical water quality indicators, including:
◆Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
◆Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
◆Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
◆pH levels
◆Volume of treated water
This data will help DDA assess how efficiently each STP is functioning and whether the wastewater treatment technology in use is meeting required standards.
Boost to Revival of Park Lakes
According to DDA officials, the initiative will also support the revival and maintenance of lakes located within park complexes. These lakes are filled using treated water from the STPs, and delays in detecting water quality issues have previously led to damage.
With live monitoring, even minor deterioration in water quality can be detected instantly, allowing corrective action before ecological harm occurs.
Agency Selection Underway
DDA plans to appoint a specialised agency with expertise in wastewater treatment and monitoring technologies. The agency will prepare a detailed report covering:
●Cost per kilolitre of treatment
●Land requirements
●Operation and maintenance costs
●Power consumption
●Environmental impact
●Quality of treated water
The authority is also looking to identify treatment technologies capable of handling up to 100 KLD efficiently.
Why This Initiative Matters
DDA currently manages nearly 16,000 acres of green space in Delhi, including:
●Over 10,400 acres across 729 parks
●Around 21,000 acres of biodiversity parks
●Approximately 2,500 acres of green zones along the Yamuna floodplain
Among these, 100 large parks have STPs with capacities ranging from 10 to 1,000 KLD, installed between 2020 and 2024. Until now, these STPs were not monitored in real time, often resulting in delayed detection of failures and damage to revived water bodies.
Towards Smarter and Sustainable Water Management
Officials believe that real-time monitoring will bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the use of treated wastewater. By ensuring that every drop is tracked and properly used, the initiative marks a significant step towards sustainable urban water management in Delhi.
