Kerala Water Authority water opens 24-hour drought management cell

Kochi: In view of the intensifying drinking water scarcity, Kerala Water Authority has opened a 24-hour drought management cell in the city. The cell operating at Pallimukku office will ensure water supply to the drought-hit regions under the city corporation, Chellanam, Kumbalangi, Mulavukad, Cheranalloor, and Kadamakudy panchayats. The cell will address complaints of water scarcity and disruption in supply.

Many of the areas in the tale-end of distribution network are not getting water as consumption of piped water has gone up drastically. Many wells have dried up and families depending on well water turned to KWA’s piped water resulting in inadequate distribution.

Due to damage of a pump set, there is decrease in supply from the Mar-adu plant which draws water from Muvattupuzha River. The dip in supply, nearly 10 MLD, has affected areas in West Kochi.

Unlike previous years, water level near the intake wells of Kerala Water Authority main pump houses at Aluva in River Periyar and Choondi in Muvattupuzha river is very low. Low water level in rivers has also affected the open wells along the banks.

Neighbouring panchayats like Vypeen, Chellanam, Cheranalloor, Kadamakudy are water stressed where consumers are getting water twice or thrice a week.

Meanwhile, there are complaints tankers are supplying potable water collected from contaminated sources.

“The district administration is focusing on election procedures and the tankers continue to flout norms on water supply. Even the association of tanker lorry owners admit that there are many vehicles which draw water from contaminated sources like granite quarries,” said a resident of Thrikkakara.

The District Collector recently convened a meeting to review the water supply in the district and instructed local bodies to arrange tanker lorries immediately to source water from the KWA pump houses.