“The ongoing water augmentation projects will culminate in phases over the next three years. The infrastructure for 24×7 water supply will also be ready by that time,” the official explained.

“The projects have been expedited under the Arvind Kejriwal government. Not much had been done earlier on this front,” he added.

Besides Malviya Nagar and Vasant Vihar, the DJB has been providing 24×7 water supply to two colonies — Ranaji Enclave and Vipin Garden — in Nangloi area.

The trial in Nangloi started in October last year.

The 24×7 water supply projects in the three areas will cover 12 per cent of the city’s population.

Another such project is being implemented in the command areas of Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants. It will cover 11 per cent of the capital’s population and will be completed in 2024.

The pilot has succeeded in bringing down non-revenue water (NRW) from 62 per cent initially to 10 per cent and water consumption from around 600 litres per capita per day (LPCD) to around 220 LPCD in Shanti Niketan and Anand Niketan in Vasant Vihar. But per person consumption remains high (323 LPCD) in Westend Colony where consumers have big houses and gardens.

In some cases, per person consumption is as high as 1,400-1,500 litres per day, the officials said. On an average, a person needs 240 litres of water per day in Delhi.

NRW means water lost due to leakages or theft before it reaches the consumer.

In Delhi, where lakhs of people rely on illegal borewells and private tankers, 42 per cent of water gets stolen or leaked.

The officials said the losses in the distribution network in Malviya Nagar are still “very high” and one of the main reasons is “frequent damage to water pipelines by other utility providers,” such as during the laying of gas pipelines.

Experts said to ensure 24×7 supply, a leakage-proof pipeline network, constant water pressure, sensors and metered connections are a must to prevent leakages and theft.