Crisis hits coastal folks hard

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The coastal areas of the city, which are the end points of Kerala Water Authority (KWA) pipeline, have been hit by water scarcity as consumption in the city has peaked.

Fish trays and barrels filled with water are stacked in front of houses at Poonthura, Beemapally and Valiyathura where people wait for tankers. The situation is  only a tad better at Vettucaud which continues to face water scarcity.

The taps in Kochuveli were dry for around two weeks until an air lock in the pipeline was rectified a few days back. In Veli, a peculiar phenomenon  of tree roots breaking into the pipelines joints  continues to affect water supply.

“Women at Valiyathura-Poonthura stay awake all night for water that may come in taps only at 1a.m. Unlike in the olden days, all the  fishermen folk have water connection but only air comes out,” said Sam Joseph, a local resident.

Water is available in many public taps in the morning where men and even children spend their summer vacation with pots. However,  Poonthura which hardly has  any public taps banks on tankers.

Local citizens allege discrimination, saying the KWA continues to provide adequate water to defence establishments beyond Shangumughom. “Kerala Water Authority provides water tankers on a daily basis upon demand from councillors at such areas. The water doesn’t reach the pipe in the coast as consumption peaks in city,” said a KWA official agreeing that there are no plans for a permanent capacity building to solve the issue. The alkalinity and contamination in ground water makes the coast vulnerable in times of shortage.