For the first time, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board will adopt Public Private Partnership mode to replace high-capacity pump sets in 20 combined water supply schemes (CWSS) across the State for better energy efficiency and to ensure daily water supply.
In an effort to reduce expenditure on electricity charges for operation of water supply infrastructure, the Board is set to float tender in a week to replace nearly 228 pump sets that are more than 15 years old and have low energy efficiency. Once the bids are vetted by the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board, a work order is likely to be issued by August or September.
The TWAD Board officials said electricity cost to maintain water distribution network contributed to nearly 55% of the Board’s total expenditure. The project would be executed based on an energy audit that recommended replacing 228 pump sets with more than 50 HP capacity, which are used in water distribution. At present, the energy efficiency of these pump sets has dropped to 50%. The Board expects to improve efficiency to at least 80% and save about ₹60 crore in energy costs through energy savings companies business model.
Some of these pump sets are used to draw water and distribute it to various habitations in Thoothukudi, Pollachi, Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district, Perundurai and Bhavani unions, Sathyamangalam in Erode district, Tenkasi, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Namakkal, Jayankondam in Ariyalur district.
Besides Attur – Narasingapuram municipalities and 12 other unions, nearly 236 fluoride-affected habitations in Salem district would be ensured of better water supply once the project is completed in a year.
Officials noted that nearly 639 million litres of water a day (mld) is being supplied through these pump sets. The chosen concessionaire would have to replace and maintain the pump sets for five years. They would have to ensure a minimum of 25% energy savings and would be provided with a share in the savings.
The TWAD Board would provide additional financial incentives according to the increase in power savings. This would mean efficient and equal daily water supply without interruptions to residents. The Board is also looking to adopt a PPP model to execute ₹1,820 crore worth CWSS in Pudukottai district, said a senior official.
The Board supplies nearly 2,286 mld of water to a population of 5.02 crore through 544 CWSS across the State.
Published – June 18, 2025 11:33 pm IST