Kerala Water Authority fails to rectify leakage in water pipes

Kochi: Even as water-borne diseases are on the rise, the Kerala Water Authority is yet to rectify the leaking pipes in the city. One of the major reasons cited for water-borne diseases is contamination of drinking water through leaking points.  In west Kochi areas especially, the  pipelines are passing through drains and canals.

During a recent meeting convened by Mayor Tony Chammany, the KWA top officials had  agreed to repair all leaking pipes along the Metro corridor. However,   pipes still continue to leak.

“We had agreed to rectify the three major leaks along the Metro stretch on SA Road which has already been done,” said Jessy Jose, executive engineer, KWA.

However, she admitted that the issue of drinking water getting contaminated through unscientific use of taps and leaks in the network was  a major problem.

“The KWA alone can’t resolve the issue as the public should refrain from directly drawing  water from the pipeline network and using  hand pumps which pollute the water. Since drinking water can’t be denied to the public, the pipes that go through canals and drains have to be maintained,” she said.

Many of the pipelines in west Kochi areas are more than 50 to 60 years old and the Rs. 3-crore project for replacing them  still remains on paper. In February this year, the KWA submitted before the High Court that periodical inspections were being conducted and that the quality control wing had been randomly making inspections in the entire distribution system.