Now, Kochi Corporation drinking water at Rs 10

KOCHI: The city Corporation is all set to introduce a unique programme to resolve drinking water scarcity in parts of the city. The civic body in association with the Kerala state women’s development corporation will set up a water purification plant with a capacity of treating 48,000 litres of water per day.

The plant will draw groundwater and after purification it will be sold through Kudum-basree units at a subsidised rate. The 20 litre container will be sold for Rs 10 of which Rs 1 will be for the civic body and Rs 9 to meet the operation and maintenance charges.   

Corporation development committee chairman T.J. Vinod inaugurated the plant construction last week. Drinking water to more than 2,000 families can be supplied per day once the plant is operational, claim corporation authorities.

The KSWDC has proposed the project with the state government’s approval. The civic body has to make an initial investment of Rs 25 lakh for the plant while the KSWDC will take care of the operation and maintenance. The local body also has to provide two cents of land from where groundwater can be drawn.

Meanwhile, in view of the rapid depletion in groundwater level in the city and high level of pollution, there are apprehensions over the feasibility of the project.

“While serious debates are on regarding groundwater depletion, it is not feasible to exploit the resources further. If the civic body wants to sell drinking water, it can draw water from the Kerala Water Authority’s Maradu plant which can be given to non-domestic consumers. Water brought from Muvatt-upuzha River is less contaminated,” observed a civic expert.