Rain has come as a blessing to the city after days of weak monsoon. However, it was not enough to compensate the alarmingly low water level in the Peppara Dam, the major source of potable water to the city. The officials of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the looming drought situation.
As the alternative plan to bring water from Neyyar would take around one month, the KWA officials will discuss the immediate steps to be taken to tackle the situation.
The State Government has decided to give Rs 3.5 crore to bring water from Neyyar dam to Aruvikkara. Currently, the Peppara reservoir has water to support the city for only 30-35 days. The Government has rejected KWA’s proposal to impose restriction on the hours of water supply.
KWA MD Ashok Kumar Singh, in a letter sent to the Chief Engineer on August 2, had listed a number of steps to manage the crisis situation. The steps included giving direction and awareness to restrict usage of
water, plugging of pipeline leaks and reduction of hours of supply after notification. Interestingly, the letter also suggested formation of a crisis management cell for each circle, toll-free number and construction of check dams.
The MD had suggested a daily monitoring of the sources of water supply schemes. He had also asked for details of public wells and ponds having potable or non-potable quality, possibility of using unutilised storage etc.
The letter urged officials to identify probable locations to establish mini water supply schemes, to install water kiosks with the help of panchayats for critical areas and installation of small type desalinisation plans.
Comments
0 comment