Question : WATER SAVING

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that millions of liters of water can be saved simply by changing the size of the water cistern or tank attached to flush type toilets;

(b) if so, whether there is any plan/roadmap with the Government to adopt the same parameters to save water in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Ministry has any plan to amend the Indian Standard (IS: 774 of 2004 amended 2006) in connection with promotion and adoption of new water saving standards in India on the line of global best practices that are used in Western countries and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The Central Water Commission ‘Guidelines for Improving Water Use Efficiency in Irrigation, Domestic and Industrial Sectors’ has indicated that water efficient toilets using 6 litres of water per flush can save a 30 litres water a day per inhabitant. The low flush toilets use less water and also reduce the volume of waste water.

The Government of India has established National Water Mission (NWM) with the objective of “ conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development.” The NWM Goal IV has identified strategies for recycling of water including waste water, improve efficiency of urban water supply system and efficiency labeling of water application and fixtures.

(c) The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has a plan for amendment to the Indian Standard, IS 774:2004 to include dual flush only instead of single and dual flush to save water. The dual flush cistern has the option to discharge full or reduced quantity, that is, a 10 litres cistern can dischare 10 litres or 5 litres per discharge depending upon selection of option; similarly, a 6 litres flushing cistern can discharge 6 litres or 3 litres depending upon selection of option.