KOCHI: The delay in constructing the temporary sand bund at Purappillikkavu on the northern boundary of Periyar might affect the drinking water supply to greater Kochi area as the rate of saline water intrusion to the river’s upstream has been increasing daily. If the brackish water from Vembanad lake reaches Aluva where the Kerala Water Authority’s pump house is situated, the water supply will be disrupted as the KWA plant does not have a system to treat water with high saline content.
“Though salt content is not much high near the Aluva plant now, the chances for salinity reaching upstream are higher due to poor rainfall. At present, the salinity is 10 PPM (particles per million). The sand bund at Purappillikkavu has to be constructed at the earliest or else salinity will reach near the intake point during high tide,” said a top official at KWA pump house, Aluva. Every year, the irrigation department starts construction of the temporary sand bund by November-end which will be completed by December to prevent saline water intrusion. But the phenomenon started much early this year due to poor monsoon and low water level.
“If the department waits till November, it will be too late this year as the water level in Periyar is receding,” said M. Shaji, a local resident. The irrigation department authorities were hopeful of completing the construction of the permanent regulator- cum-bridge at Purappillikkavu by October. But the works are still pending. Once the bridge is commissioned, the issue of saline water intrusion to Periyar would be permanently solved. Apart from drinking water, the cultivation in vast areas of agriculture land will also be hit.
