Even as National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) presented a software that can help to identify contamination of urban water source, representatives of Government local bodies battled the enormity of the task to provide data and expressed reservations whether their respective machineries ever be able to gather that much big data to be fed into the software. Atmosphere in the meeting was positive but the practical difficulties loomed large over the table.

 

NEERI has come up with the software named RISK-PiNET 2.0, a modelling tool for risk assessment and rehabilitation planning of Water Distribution System. It is the software, which is useful for assessment of contamination in drinking water distribution system. This software is useful for various Municipal Corporations in the country as the potable water is supplied to consumers through pipelines in urban areas. RISK-PiNET identifies the pipes with greatest risk of hydraulic deficiencies and structural failure. It generates a prioritised list of pipes those need rehabilitation. Decision makers can draw phase-wise rehabilitation.

 

The software developed by NEERI needs information of pipes, sewer lines, drain system, water jam, the age of the pipes, material diameter, length, location, condition of the pipeline. While operating and maintaining a huge network of pipelines, the Municipal Corporations are unable to assess deteriorating conditions of pipes, leakage in pipes or other risks taking place due to the contamination at some points of the drinking water supply network. Big challenge is to identify the exact contaminant intrusion point in the network of pipelines. RISK-PiNET helps in identifying the problem and thus helps to increase the drinking water supply in cities. This software has three modules: pipe condition assessment module (PCA), hazard assessment (due to sewage and drain) module, and risk assessment (due to PCA and hazard) module. The software also assesses the failure rate and remaining useful life of each pipe considering the year of pipe-installation, length, diameter and pressure therein the pipe. Accordingly, rehabilitation of the contaminated pipeline can be planned rather than changing the water distribution system at large scale.

 

RISK-PiNET has been developed by the CSIR-NEERI scientists Dr Aabha Sargaonkar, Asheesh Sharma and other members of Cleaner Technology and Modelling Division (CTMD), CSIR-NEERI. On Friday the CSIR-NEERI scientists demonstrated RISK-PiNET to the senior officials of Public Health Engineering Departments of Chhattisgarh, Municipal Corporations of Pune and Nagpur, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai, OCW and The Nagpur Environmental Services Ltd. (NESL).

 

Dr Abha Sargaonkar urged the officials to let them know the feedback so that the improvisation could be brought in the software. She informed everybody that a study had been carried out at Hanuman Nagar, Nagpur by using the newly developed RISK-PiNET and the data generated would be verified through survey and field visits.

 

Shashikant Hastak, Technical Director, NESL suggested scientists the efficiency of the software should be tested in small areas so NEERI should take up the project in Dhantoli zone. Secondly the meeting of private operators or consultants should also be called separately so that it would help at implementation level.

 

The authorities raised a concern that the data required for this software may not be available at one place; therefore need to congregate it in coordination with various departments of the State. Another officer pointed out, the software is the diagnostic tool. So when it diagnosed and procedure is required then whether the people would be ready for the same or not should also be checked. The authorities assured that they would use RISK-PiNET as a decision making tool to ensure safe drinking water.

 

Dr J S Pandey, Chief Scientist and Head, Climate Change and Skilling Division supported the idea and stayed till the completion of whole discussion.