KOCHI: In a first of its kind, Guruvayoor Municipality is all set to draft a water policy based on the findings of a proposed water audit. Water scarcity is the major issue in Guruvayoor where the population is only 73,000 but is visited by nearly five crore pilgrims every year. SCMS Water Institute at SCMS College of Engineering, Karukutty, Ernakulam, is conducting the water audit. The agency will also support in formulating the policy which will have short-term and long-term proposals to address related issues.
"Being the most famous temple town, water consumption in Guruvayoor is the highest when compared to other municipalities in the state. “The requirement of the temple, pilgrims, more than accommodations and marriage halls should be addressed apart from other institutions like hospitals, schools, shops and the railway and bus stations," said K.P. Vinod, municipal vice-chairman. The municipality has selected SCMS Institute, which conducted water audit for Kochi Corporation earlier, through a competitive bidding process.
"Quantity of water available at present is grossly inadequate, and a significant chunk of water is being brought from other places in tankers," said Dr Sunny George, director of SCMS Water Institute. "Ward-wise household survey, water distribution analysis, groundwater quality analysis, GIS mapping of resources, estimation demand in domestic, agriculture, commercial and industrial sectors, preparing water-stress map, assessment of the availability of required quantity from alternative sources to meet future demand and developing water security plan are key objectives."
