A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE), National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti and Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) for a Water Positive India by awareness creation & promotion of rain water harvesting structures, low flow fixtures & sanitary ware, treatment of grey & black water, water audit of built environment. The MoU was signed by Ms. Archana Varma, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, on behalf of National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Shri Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association based in Okhla, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Archana Varma, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Water Mission asserted that today is the historic day for Bureau of Water Use Efficiency as the IPA has been actively promoting fixtures that are water sensitive and consume less water and the MoU would help in promoting its objective of increasing water use efficiency.
Shri Gurmeet Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association added that his organization would give full cooperation for increasing water use efficiency in domestic sector by 50-60% (reducing water use from 135 lpcd to 60 lpcd). He further stressed water audit for built environments (residential buildings, hotels etc.) to achieve the target of Net Zero Water Buildings.
Goal-4 of the National Water Mission envisages increasing the water use efficiency by 20%. The signing of MoU is an important step in accomplishing the Goal-4 of National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The provisions of MoU are oriented towards the implementation and promotion of the objective of the National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti through 24 chapters (in various cities) and with more than 6500 members of Indian Plumbing Association spread across the country. As per the MoU, NWM & IPA shall work together to impart and promote public education, awareness and outreach programmes and water stewardship. The focus will be on circular economy of water including grey water use (5Rs: Reduce –Recycle- Reuse-Replenish-Respect) in built environment. The MoU further envisages that NWM & IPA shall work together for promoting and generating awareness towards rain water harvesting and recharge of aquifers. Further, NWM & IPA shall also work together to promote reclamation of used water primarily in the urban landscape.
