KOCHI: An intensified monsoon and heavy discharge from Bhoothathankettu dam have resulted in the high level of turbidity and discolouration of river Periyar triggering apprehensions of disruption in the drinking water supply to the city and suburbs. Since the greater Kochi area is mainly dependent on river Periyar for its drinking water requirements, any slowdown in pumping will make the city dry.
However, Kerala Water Authority officials clarified that the discolouration and turbidity level was decreasing and there was no ground for concerns on water supply disruption.
“The turbidity level in the river water increased up to 48 ntu (nephelometric turbidity units) last week when the rains intensified and additional water from the dam reached downstream. But, now the level has decreased to 22 ntu and it may dip further. Despite overload on machines in the treatment plant, pumping has not been hit and the situation is under control. If the shutters of the dams are not opened, the turbidity level will decrease soon,” said Anil Kumar, assistant engineer at Aluva pump house.
However, if the rain continues in the coming days, the supply might be disrupted as the KWA has to reduce the pumping time since more time is required to treat the water because of the high level of mud.
Meanwhile, the swollen river and the high level of slush in the water are affecting normal functioning of the treatment plant. It takes more time to treat water. Usually, it takes two to three hours to purify water stored in intake wells. “As of now, the water treatment process has not been hit and normal quantity of water, 240 MLD, is being pumped to the city,” added the KWA official.
