Kerala Water Authority Unveils Multi-Pronged Strategy to Combat Kochi's Acute Water Shortage
In response to the persistent and severe potable water shortage gripping several parts of Kochi, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has formulated a comprehensive action plan. The critical decisions were finalized during a high-level meeting convened by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
Long-Term Solution: A New 190 MLD Treatment Plant
The meeting, initiated following a request by MLA T J Vinod, identified a major long-term project. The proposed construction of a 190 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant in Aluva, under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, is anticipated to provide a permanent resolution to the water woes of Kochi and its neighboring regions. Currently, this proposal is under review by the state finance department. The meeting concluded with a directive to expedite this approval process and swiftly move towards initiating the tender.
Addressing Immediate Infrastructure Failures
A recent partial collapse of the KWA's storage tank at Thammanam significantly reduced water supply to various city areas. To rectify this, a proposal has been prepared to construct a brand new tank at the same site. This reconstruction project will be funded through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), and immediate steps will be taken to commence construction work.
Short-Term Augmentation and Distribution Improvements
For immediate relief, the KWA plans to boost daily supply by an additional 10 lakh litres from the existing Aluva water treatment plant to Kochi city. This will require the procurement of necessary machinery, including pumps. However, due to increased tender costs, this specific matter will be tabled for discussion at the next state cabinet meeting.
Furthermore, to improve water distribution in the severely affected Vaduthala and Pachalam areas, the meeting decided on two key actions:
- Ensuring direct water supply to the Pachalam storage tank.
- Implementing interconnection arrangements within the local distribution lines to optimize flow and pressure.
The meeting was attended by senior KWA officials, Kochi Mayor V K Minimol, and the corporation secretary, underscoring the coordinated effort to tackle this public utility crisis.
