Cuttack: The public health engineering organisation (Pheo) is set to start work for extending the drinking water supply distribution network to all areas under the civic body.

Foundation stone for the projects to connect the uncovered areas with new pipelines were laid by chief minister Naveen Patnaik here on Friday. He launched 555 water supply projects in 101 of the 113 urban local bodies across the state on the occasion. Piped water is now being supplied in 44 of the 59 wards under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. The remaining 15 are partially covered.

"The drinking water supply distribution network in the city now runs to around 551km. The projects for which foundation stones have been laid now targets to add 310km of new pipelines," Pheo (Cuttack division) executive engineer Sushant Ghadei said. "Tenders were finalised and work orders have been already issued."

Pheo now supplies 102.9 million litres of water every day as compared to a daily demand of 101 million litres. But 25 per cent of the water goes waste because of leakages. With the new pipeline project, the plan is to supply 129 million litres every day.

As part of the projects launched on Friday, 10 production well sources will be developed. "While five new production wells will be developed by tapping new sources, the other five will be developed by rehabilitating the existing ones," Ghadei said.

Besides, foundation stone was also laid for replacement of 7.8km pipeline under a rehabilitation plan. This will be in addition to the project involving replacement of 98.65km of pipelines, which is nearing completion.

On July 31 last year, chief minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the project to address the problem of old, rusted or leaking water distribution pipelines that lead to contamination of drinking water.

"So far, around 78km of pipelines have been replaced and are ready to be charged. We expect to complete the old pipeline replacement project in the city by the end of this year," Ghadei said.