A pre-sedimentation unit will be constructed near the Matela pump house in Almora to address the increase in muddy water during the rainy season. The project will cost ₹5.59 crore, while the department has started the tender process.
Construction is expected to begin in the first week of November. The unit will remove soil and heavier particles from the water before it reaches the main filtration process.
Why the project is needed
Almora town and nearby rural areas require around 16 MLD of water each day for a population of approximately 90 thousand. The Matela filter plant has a treatment capacity of 22 MLD.
Under normal conditions, the plant can treat water with turbidity of up to 400 NTU. However, during the monsoon, the amount of soil and silt in the Kosi River rises sharply.
This can increase turbidity in the river water to 1000 NTU. The higher level makes it difficult to bring the water within the prescribed treatment standards at the existing plant.
How the new unit will help
The proposed facility will carry out an initial separation of soil and heavy particles. This is expected to reduce the load on the Matela filter plant and improve the subsequent cleaning process.
The department expects the project to help maintain drinking-water quality during the rainy season. Its stated aim is to make treatment more effective when turbidity in the river rises.
The next confirmed step is the completion of the tender process, followed by the expected start of construction in the first week of November.
Conclusion
The ₹5.59 crore pre-sedimentation unit near the Matela pump house is planned to reduce the impact of high monsoon turbidity and support better treatment of water supplied to Almora and nearby rural areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where will the new pre-sedimentation unit be built?
It will be built near the Matela pump house in Almora.
Q. What is the cost of the project?
The project will cost ₹5.59 crore.
Q. When is construction expected to begin?
Work is expected to start in the first week of November.
Q. How much water is needed daily in Almora and nearby rural areas?
The areas require around 16 MLD of water each day.
Q. What is the capacity of the Matela filter plant?
The plant has a treatment capacity of 22 MLD.
Q. Why does the water become difficult to treat during the monsoon?
Soil and silt in the Kosi River increase during the rainy season, raising turbidity to 1000 NTU.
