Water Digest confers the prestigious award for SECL’s water conservation efforts including proper utilization of mine water
Bilaspur, March 17 . The efforts made by SECL in the field of water conservation, especially towards mine water utilisation, have been appreciated at the national level. The company has been awarded the Best Water Management Award in the Public Sector category at the 16th Water Digest World Water Awards 2023 on March 16. The award was given by Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a grand function in New Delhi. Brahma Kumari Shivani Didi and Ambassador of Israel were also present on this occasion.
Across SECL, about 735.07 lakh kilolitres of water has been extracted from various mines in the year 22-23 till February’23. Out of this, about 262.26 lakh kilolitres of water has been supplied for the use of the local people. While 25.70 lakh kilolitres of water has been used as drinking water, about 236.56 kilolitres of water has been used for irrigation of 2,852 acres of land. About 61,000 people in 142 villages have been benefitted by water supplied from mines.
It may be noted that during the process of extracting coal from the mines, a large amount of water gets accumulated in the mine sumps. To run the mining smoothly, this water is pumped out to the surface. There are mainly two ways in which water gets accumulated in mines. First due to cutting of aquifers during mining in underground mines. Second, due to cutting of aquifers as well as accumulation of rainwater in open cast mines.
SECL is also working to ensure the quality of water coming out of the mines. With the help of 17 Real Time Effluent Monitoring Systems, the quality of mine water is continuously monitored.
Through the Pipariya Water Supply (Irrigation) Scheme in SECL’s Johilla area, daily about 21.60 lakh gallons of water from Pipariya underground mine is being transported to Pipariya and Simariya villages after treatment. This water is being used to irrigate about 600 acres of agricultural land, benefiting around 1500 people in these villages. Under the Jamunia Water Supply (Drinking Water and Irrigation) Scheme in Johilla area, 28.80 lakh gallons of water released daily from Umaria underground mine is made available for drinking and irrigation to about 5000 people of villages like Jamunia, Sarhatola, Lalpur, Bilaikaap after treatment. Along with this, the mine water is also supplied to the filter plant of Umaria municipality, which after being filtered is supplied to the residents of Umaria district.
SECL through its various initiatives is making its contribution towards conserving a scarce resource like water. The company is working on construction of sedimentation tanks/settling ponds in open cast mines which act as water recharge basins to treat mine water.
Mr. Manas Sahu, Chief Manager (Civil) was part of delegation of SECL in the said function organized in New Delhi.
