Thiruvananthapuram: While the city is already in the grip of extreme dry conditions, around 35 million litres per day of recycled water from Muttathara is being wasted in Parvathi Puthanar. Though recycled water can be used for non-drinking purposes such as gardening, housekeeping, industrial and construction purpose, it is emptied into the city stream. No efforts have been taken to canalise water to nearby domestic and international airport complex, which consumes thousands of litres of water daily.
District Collector S Venkatesapathy, who was earlier the corporation secretary, said laying special pipelines from Muttathara involved large investments. “Logistics is an issue as tanker trucks have to come all the way to Muttathara to take water. We will discuss the possibility of supplying recycled water with the airport director,” he said. Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India vice president N Reghuchandran Nair said talks to rope in builders to use recycled water had not led to a logical end.
“If they store recycled water in tanks in Muttathara, builders will be ready to use it. However, there seems to have been little effort in pursuing the idea with stakeholders. National Highways Authority of India projects are happening in the vicinity. Water can be used for plants in the median. Hospitals like Ananthapuri and KIMS can be provided this water for housekeeping purposes. However, there is a stigma among our people against using recycled water,” Mr Nair said.
In water crisis-hit cities, grey water plants are much sought after. Recycled water is used in townships of several Central Government institutions like NTPC. “We can’t lay pipelines for recycled water. Given our situation, there is a chance of this ending up as drinking water. We need pumping centres and separate trucks to provide it to needy entities at nominal rates,” said a senior KWA official attached to Sewerages division.
