Regional Rural Water Supply Scheme for Sapnai & 4 Villages using Renewable Energy

Reliable and sustainable drinking water supply continues to be a major challenge in rural regions of India, mainly due to dependence on groundwater sources, inadequate infrastructure, and high energy costs associated with pumping. The villages of Sapnai, Moha, Gaur, Dahiphal, and Massa Kh. in Dharashiv district face issues such as insufficient water supply, irregular distribution, and increasing operational expenses. In this study, an effort has been made to improve the existing regional rural water supply system by shifting to a dependable surface water source and upgrading the existing infrastructure. Population forecasting and water demand assessment were carried out as per CPHEEO guidelines [1], considering a design horizon up to the year 2058. The proposed scheme mainly consists of intake arrangements at Chorakhali Dam, a 3.5 MLD water treatment plant, transmission systems, storage reservoirs, and a redesigned distribution network to ensure equitable water supply. One of the main considerations in this work is to reduce operational costs through the application of solar photovoltaic energy for pumping and treatment operations. Detailed analysis shows that the annual energy requirement of approximately 12.5 lakh kWh, which would cost about ₹1.25 crore using grid electricity, can be significantly reduced by adopting a 1000 kW solar power system, bringing down the annual expenditure to routine maintenance costs. The estimated payback period for the solar installation is around 6 years. In addition, The study also suggests the use of SCADA-based monitoring systems to improve operational efficiency, enable real-time control, and reduce water losses. The combined application of renewable energy and automation makes the system more reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable. The approach presented in this study can be applied to similar rural areas facing water scarcity and high energy costs.