Wadi, OFAJ get Ambazari water but with 'high chlorine content'

NAGPUR: Wadi and Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ) areas have started getting water from Ambazari lake but many residents are complaining of high chlorine content in the water. Though highly polluted, the lake’s water is being supplied to 7,000 families because their primary source — the Vena reservoir — is almost dry.

Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) is using chlorine at the treatment plant to undo the effect of pollution.


MJP used to supply 22 million litres per day (MLD) from Vena dam to OFAJ, Wadi and Dawlamethi. However, as the dam has gone dry, it is supplying 10 MLD from Ambazari.

Hingna MLA Sameer Meghe told TOI that ministry of defence (MoD) had laid a pipeline from Ambazari lake to OFAJ and Wadi after guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule raised the issue with minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre. “MJP had told us months ago that Vena water would not last in the summer. As Wadi Municipal Council did not have the money for the pipeline, I urged Bawankule to seek money from MoD,” he said.

Bhamre sanctioned Rs9.5 crore for the work, which began in February end. It was completed in two months. After TOI reported that fish were dying in Ambazari lake due to industrial discharge from Hingna MIDC into the lake, MJP contacted Pune-based experts who suggested using a certain method of treatment to make the water potable. The high chlorine content is due to this treatment.

According to Meghe, Ambazari water is a backup supply. “When Vena gets filled up during rains we will start using its water again,” he said and added that the lake water would be used whenever Vena dries up.

While residents are happy that alternate arrangement has been made, they want the chlorine content to reduce. “The supply has started just two days back but it’s regular. We will have to see whether we get enough water till the arrival of rains. The chlorine content is very high and we filter it before using. Some of my neighbours are, however, drinking it directly,” said Sanjay Wankhede, a resident of OFAJ Colony.

Abhijit Joshi, a resident of Wadi, also complained of high chlorine content. “The water is either white or very turbulent. While some areas of Wadi are getting adequate water, others are not. The timing is also not fixed. The municipal council is yet to streamline the supply. The schedule should be made public so that people know when they will get water,” he said.

Kailash Manthapurwar, another resident, however, said that he was getting enough water and that too of good quality. “It is better than Vena water,” he told TOI.