Water Supply Department :

The devotees of Shri Saibaba who come to Shirdi for Baba's darshan, used the well water situated near the Samadhi Mandir for drinking and other purposes. They were also used Baba's well in Lendi baug called as Shivadi for this purpose. 

Further 1957 Sevadham building was constructed and opened to the devotees to stay. There was a small well. The devotees there drew water from the well for drinking purpose and a small cement tank facilitated for bathing into which water was filled by a pump. But the above well became dry in the year 1961-62 in the month of May. Only during the rainy reason this well became useful. 

Apart from this, the Shirdi villagers and devotees used Grampanchayat's (Village Panchayat) well which was behind the Shani temple, Ganesh temple and Shiv temple. This well was dug by the Sansthan in 1962-63 for supplying water to the devotees. But the level of water in this well was reduced due to the regular shortage of rains thereby creating water shortages. 

In 1965-66 and thereafter, there was an increase in the number of Sai devotees and therefore the water level became externally low, thus the Ramnavami utsav had to be celebrated by assigning a tanker for supplying water from the Godavari river. 

These tanker water was used only for drinking purposes. Water was let into the Godavari canal for three days of Ramnavami into which the devotees took bath. In this way water was supplied during that period. 

Consequently 30 feet deep well was dug up and its water was utilised for the hospital. But that well too became dry during summer therefore in 1968 the well situated in the combined land of Shri Lodha, a land owner, and the Sansthan supplied water to the hospital. But since all of these wells failed to supply sufficient quantity of water specially during summer. The Sansthan made arrangements for boring machine from Shrirampur which was used to bore the well behind the Power House (near Shamsundar Samadhi) well near the high school and well inside the Sevadham building serially 100, 200 and 250 feet respectively was bored. But it was not useful. 

Further in 1971-72, the round and small well in the Saranjame Garden was broadened and a huge water tank was built having storage capacity of 15000 gallons in order to supply water to the tap connections inside the building.The number of devotees was on the rise and at the same time the rainfall became less creating water shortages. 

A new 45 feet deep well was dug in the corner of Bhaktaniwas and Shantinivas approximately in the year 1972-73. This well provided sufficient water. Thus tap connections were given for the lavatories and bathrooms for the convenience of the devotees in Gurusthan, Sevadham and other buildings. 

But since the number of devotees still increased the above water supply from the well became insufficient. Therefore with exception of Bhojangriha all the other taps supplied water for the hours morning and evening. Further during summer, the hospital Sainagar and Sainath High School were deprived of water supply for two days. Thus a new well at Sainagar was dug in the Sansthan's owned land with a depth of 45' feet supplying water to the above areas. 

But still the number of devotees increased and the water level went down in the wells. Therefore a bore was brought from the Sanjeevani Sugar Mill to bore all the wells at about 500 feet each. But this too became unsuccessful. A 45 feet deep new well was dug to the North of current Saiprasad building. Consequently the Shantinivas building was completely built up and therefore tap connections for toilet and lavatories were given for each floor with two connections and a tank was built over the Shantinivas building with the capacity of 24000gallon of water. The water from the Saiprasad new well was pumped by a 3HP pump to the well situated to the East of Shantinivas and further the same was pumped to the Shantinivas tank which supplied water approximately 1000 taps in this building for 2 hours morning and evening scheduled water supply. 

Further the construction of the Sai Udyan building was completed in the Sansthan owned land. The water from the well of this building was transferred to the tank of the same building and this water was also supplied to the Mangal Karyalaya, Keshav Mandir and Sai Udyan building. 

But the number of devotees was rising and the water supply shortage became risky. A new proposal of water supply scheme was planned and accordingly the project was sanctioned through the correspondence for Shri Saibaba and Shirdi Grampanchayat. Incidentally the Grampanchayat did not have enough public contributions due to economic problems and therefore Shri Saibaba Sansthan paid an amount of Rs.2,00,000/- as Public contribution for the same and got the project very sanctioned in 1982. This project was inaugurated (Bhumi Poojan) by Hon.Vasundharatai Deshmukh and Hon.Shri Ramraoji Adik and completed thereafter. 

After the process of supplying water being started a 6" inch pipe was connected to the main pipe line for supplying water to Shri Saibaba Sansthan. But the since the population of Shirdi village and that of the Sai devotees increased further, the above water supply could not suffice the needs of both and during the tenure of Grampanchayat, they stopped supplying water completely. On account of this the Sansthan was compelled to make arrangements of tankers that filled water from the wells situated in farms outside Shirdi. This water was then refilled in the cement tanks and supplied to the devotees. Meanwhile, a new proposal of water supply scheme was being planned out and placed before the Maharashtra Government for its sanction. But this proposal was rejected on the basis that the Shirdi Grampanchayat was reformed as Nagar Parishad. 

In order to solve the above shortcoming the Shirdi Sansthan, Kankuri and Pimpalwadi villages were included and a new combined proposal of the water supply project was prepared and the same was sanctioned as a new project of village water supply of 12.50 crore liters project. The above project was completed in 1990. The water was conveniently supplied from the above project up till 1991 due to the ever increase in the number of devotees with the addition of the growing population of Kankuri and Pimpalwadi, water shortages were bound to exist. 


Thus in 1991, a fresh demand for additional water supply was made to the Maharashtra Government through correspondence. This demand was approved under certain norms but since the Government did not have enough funds, Shri Saibaba Sansthan donated a sum of Rs.1,00,00,000, and obtained this additional project. The above sum was issued to the Governments Jeevan Pradhikaran for the completion of the project along with the completion of 3,17 crore capacity storage tank and other related works. The above scheme along with the whole project was taken over by Shri Saibaba Sansthan for operation and maintenance from the Government in the year 1996. 

Since the well water of the Sansthan's surroundings contaminated, they were filled up to closed. Today the storage tank has the capacity of 3 to 7 crore liters. There is heavy rush of Sai devotees on Thursdays and Sundays and the water supply on these days along with Kankuri and Pimpalwadi is 22 lakh liters per day with the exception of Thursdays and Sundays, on other days approximately 15 lakh liters of water is used. 

                                 

The above storage tank has the capacity of an average supply for 90 days if the tank is filled to it's maximum level and the above project is quite sufficient today for Shri Saibaba Sansthan, Kankuri and Pimpalwadi. The repairs, maintenance, water purification expenditure, water taps, employees salaries and other related expenditures etc. is borned by the Shri Saibaba Sansthan.

There is a separate department viz. Water Supply Department has been established to look after this entire water supply scheme. This department was attached to Electrical and Construction department for some time. From November 1998 it is separated from these department. This department is manned as follows : 

The working of Water Supply Department is as follows : 

Initially water is extracted from Right Bank Canal of Godavari River keeping the equidistant length of cement pipes. Through the pipes water is supplied into the old Reservoir of 9,00,00,000 liters' capacity and New Reservoir of 2,37,00,000 liters' capacity. 

Current Reservoir has height of 9 feet and inside reservoir with the scale gauge fills with water then through overflow water is released with the help of cement pipe into storage tank. 

To Pump from storage tank 5 HP 2 monoblock pump sets are installed. Through present pump-set raw water is poured into the outside vase of raw water purifier. After adding Bleaching powder and Alum, it is released into the water and the same is accumulated in the inside lot of clarifier. Mud consistent settles down at the bottom of clarifier. Then the pure water is stored into 5,49,000 capacity classifier tank. Ultimately the pure water flows into the upper pours of round channel and passes to filtration plant channel. Currently water is filtered at the rate of 15,000 liters per hour and the pure water is get accumulated into tank of 3,75,000 capacity. 

                                
                                                       Water Purifier

                               
                                                       Water Clarifier



In the tank of pure water Chlorine gas is released as per the requirement. Similarly solution is made from salt and chlorine which is made from chlorides machine resulting into chow and released into same tank. In this subsidiary tank from 6 kg of salt 2 liters is processed resulting in to two liters colleen solution which is prepared in 24 hours at present three such subsidiary machines are working. 

There is 25 Hp Pump and 12 inches diameter pipeline to push water to overhead tank of capacity 10,000 liters, and whenever required the water is supplied from it to all buildings of Sai Sansthan. 

In order to wash filter plant on it 50000 liters capacity holding water tank is set up. In the tank water is stored by pure water channel with the help of 5 H.P. Set. Present filter is cleaned by electric blower or with the heavy force of water. For the wind pressure 35 HP capacity 2 blower is setup. 


From the overhead tank (10,00,000 liters) to Newbhaktiniwas pipeline is set which is of 12 inches diameter with 3000 meters in length. Form this main line water is supplied to taps near Saiprasad, Temple Complex, Sai garden, Hospital, Staff quarters and as per the requirement water is stored into tank near the same building. 

For the new and old Sai prasad building 1,00,000 liters of capacity holding tank is constructed and by the pump of 10 HP for old Sai prasad building 48770 liters of capacity holding 2 tanks are made from that water is supplied. To full the water in to the tank and reservoir employees are appointed shift wise. 

A well equipped laboratory has been installed to check the water samples at frequent timings so as enable to procure a clean, hygenic and pure drinking water for the devotees visiting this holy place. 

At the water Suppply Tank a Diesel Generator Set was also installed to supply electric current to drive the water pumps in case of failure of electric supply from the Government. 

In order to get more purirfied drinking water for the devotees, additional Chlorodas equipment has also installed to procure Chlorine gas which is additionally added to the water. 

For the temple complex 1,00,000 liters capacity tank is constructed .By 10 HP submarine from the top of old Shanti Niwas building which has capacity 1,46,660 liters capacity tank, it supplies water for the pilgrims who are coming for the darshan in the temple and also staying on Shanti Niwas 

From the tank of Shantinivas by 3 inches pipeline water is supplied to Sainath Chhaya Officers residence and Sevadham Staff quarters building. For this 4 syntax tanks are setup holding the capacity 0f 5000 liters. To fill the tank and supply water in regular intervals employees are appointed in three shifts. 

Adjacent to the hospital there is a tank that has the capacity of holding 153000 liters. Through the pump set of 10 HP 24,299 liters water is supplied in the overhead tank of hospital for the staff quarters water is stored in to the capacity holding 3500 liters and for new blood bank and A.O building 2000 This capacity holding 4 tanks water is supplied. 

For the 'A' type staff quarters from the nearest building 25, 000 liters tank is set up By 5 HP pump set water is supplied into 34250 liters capacity tank. Next to Sainagar staff quarters building.14020 capacity tank is setup with the help of 5 HP pump set water is supplied into 30,000 liters capacity tank. 

For the Samarpan building construction of Tank is in progress. At present from the Sainagar well 5 HP submarine machine water is transferred up in the 26,5000 capacity tank. To store and to supply it employees are appointed in three shifts. 

From new Bhaktaniwas tank with the help of 5 HP pump set water is released in to 2 inches pipeline and is connected to the syntax tank of Executive Officer residence Shri Sai Samishya . Similarly Administrative Officers residence Sai Sahavas No 1 and No 2 in different 2000 liters tank which were divided in to 4 require water supply. 

For Saibaba New Dormitory 10,00,000 liters capacity overhead tank is setup from it 6 inches diameter and 1200 meters pipeline is set water is stored in to the capacity of tank 1,40,900 liters also with the help of 5 HP water submarine water is accumulated into 1,21,980 liters capacity tank. From this tank Water is supplied to dormitory no 1 and no 2. Hence this respective tank supply water to all dormitories 

Temple complex, Saiprasad hospital, Hospital Staff Quarters, Employee residence, New bhakta niwas building including educational complex approximately daily water consumption is 1,80,000 liters Utilization of water varies depending upon number of pilgrims visiting. 

The annually Rs.8.00 lakhs have been spend on purchase of water purification materials as follows : 

01. Bleaching Powder (TCl) 33% 

proportion`of Chlorine 27,000 kgs. 

02. Alum 54,000 kgs 

From this scheme pure water is provided to the villages viz. ,Kankuri and Pimpalwadi For the Kankuri rural area near filter plant independent 50,000 liters capacity overhead tank is set up to supply the water. To fill up present tank 5 HP pumpset are set up on the top. 

Similarly for Pimpalwadi village water is supplied from Sansthan's 10,00,000 liters capacity overhead tank. 57,000 liters of water is supplied through 4 inches diameter PVC Pipeline. 

This Department has been manned as follows :