The Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) observed the World Water Day here with the theme ‘Accelerating Change’. The day is observed as an annual UN Observance Day to highlight the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
“Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms and factories don’t have the safe water and toilets they need,” said
Housing & Urban Development Department Principal Secretary and WATCO Chairperson G Mathi Vathanan.
Dr Lior Asaf, Water Attache, Embassy of Israel, who was guest of honour said, “What I found in last three days of my visit here is that Odisha has gone far ahead than a number of advanced countries in delivering 24x7 guaranteed pure water to each and every urban house of the State.”
WATCO CEO Pradipta Kumar Swain mentioned about the WATCO’s effort to extend 100% house connections in 104 Urban Local Bodies out of 115 cities of the State, reduction of non-revenue water from 54% to less than 15% in cities like Puri and Gopalpur and other zones in 20 cities having ‘Drink from Tap’ implementation covering approx. 8.5 lakh urban population, community partnership in water supply management, improvement of public health and capacity building of engineers and others through the Odisha Water Academy.