It is common knowledge that water supply schemes in urban areas of the state suffer from huge loss of unaccounted water. Similarly, energy consumed for water supply schemes too is alarming. To remedy this pathetic situation, by a Resolution dated 3 November, 2001, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the Government of Maharashtra directed all the Municipal Corporations, and A& B Class Municipal Councils to undertake programme of water audit, energy audit, check water leakage and rehabilitation in right earnest. Government gives grant to these municipal bodies by way of incentive. At present, water audit, energy audit and rehabilitation programme are implemented on a large scale in urban water supply schemes. Even otherwise, it is made mandatory under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission of the Central Government. As part of basic development schemes, small and medium towns have to implement the programme under UIDSSMT. If positive results are to be achieved, the implementing officers - Chief Officers and engineers who have to bear the brunt have to equip themselves with necessary efficiency. The Water Supply and Sanitation Department of Maharashtra Government, for this purpose, arranged a 5 - day residential training workshop at Nashik under the joint auspices of the All India Institute of Local Self-Government and Research and Training Centre, Nasik of the Maharashtra Water Authority on 4-6 August, 2008. MS. Jaylaxmi Chekkala, Jt. Secretary of the Water Supply & Sanitation Department inaugurated the workshop, while the meeting was presided over by the Chief Engineer, Nasik Division of MJP, Mr. Rajendra Holani. Mr. Ashish Deosthali, Executive Director of the A.l.I.L.S.Gexplained the outlineof the programme. Mr. Nishikant More, superintend engineer of Research and Training Centre of the NRTC welcomed the participants. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deosthali said Maharashtra is the first state to spearhead necessary urban developmental activity under the JNNURM and UIDSSMT programmes. This training workshop was arranged under the able guidance of the Principal Secretary of Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Mr Ajitkumar Jain. It is proposed to have such training workshops in ali Revenue Divisions of the state.

Following this workshop, a time-bond programme is being chalked out to monitor water and energy audit and minimise leakage of water. Government will monitor and keep a dose watch on the municipal bodies to ensure efficient implementation of the programmes.