Ageing KWA pipes to spout severe disease
According to the district medical officer, the issue of water-scarcity in problem areas never resolved.
Thiruvananthapuram: The age-old and worn out distribution network of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is posing a severe health threat to residents.
With drought looming large over the state capital, water-borne diseases are likely to go up as many of the pipelines are age-old and exposed to contamination as most of them are running close to drains.
According to the district medical officer, the issue of water-scarcity in problem areas never resolved.
“Coastal areas are the worst hit, and the pipelines are in real bad shapes, and we have pointed this out to the authorities many a time in the past years. But every summer the issue remains unresolved putting the residents at risk,” said the official.
While proposals to replace age-old and worn out pipelines are mounting from every division of the KWA, however, the projects are progressing at snail’s pace. With election code of conduct coming into effect, KWA will not be able to launch any new works to improve the distribution network.
“Replacing pipelines is routine work, and we normally do it in a phased manner. There are around 25 water supply schemes in the coastal belt, and things will get better in the coming years. We have noticed the state of old pipelines, which will be replaced soon,” said an official.
The official said that only emergency and unavoidable works could be taken up.
“Without getting permission from the election commission, we will not be able to take up even emergency new works,” said the official. Around 270 million-litre water is pumped daily to the city from Aruvikkara.