KOLLAM: After three long weeks of drinking water woes and dry water taps, Kerala Water Authority has resumed pumping from Sasthamkotta Lake. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries in Chavara and Sakthikulangara areas have raised concerns over the quality of water being sourced through the distribution network. "Even as the pumping has resumed, the water is found to be discoloured and sustains a large quantity of sediments. It seems there is no protocol being followed in supplying drinking water after a break in pumping. The sediment is apparently the rust from cast iron pipes used in the distribution network, which should not be supplied for drinking purposes," a resident from Sakthikulangara told DC.
The water is found to be reddish in colour which poses health hazards for the consumers. "It is a matter of luck that the people are not affected by waterborne diseases. The authorities are least concerned about such issues and their aim is just to supply water."
They also complain of clogged plumbing fittings in households due to the polluted water. Meanwhile, the pumping from Sasthamkotta has resumed after the presence of iron bacteria in the water was found to be within permissible limits. Kollam district collector S. Karthikeyan visited the filtration unit in Sasthamkotta on Friday to analyse the situation.
"The discolouration of water currently being experienced might be caused by sediments in the distribution pipes which will be cleared soon once it is flushed out by the water. The test results showed that iron bacteria presence falls within the permissible limits," S. Sonia, assistant executive engineer, Sasthamkotta, told DC. "As the water from Sasthamkotta Lake alone is insufficient to meet the demand, water from Kallada irrigation project is also being sourced and distributed after the filtration process at Sasthamkotta," she added. Meanwhile, water shortage still prevails in Chavara and coastal Kollam.
