Thiruvananthapuram: The Rs 291-crore Kuttanadu drinking water project phase-II will be taken up with the masala bond proceeds of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.
This will cater to the drinking water needs of nearly two lakh people in 13 panchayats in the Assembly constituency. It will improve the water supply in subsea-level Kuttanad in an area of 900 sq km and meet the demand up to 2050. There are various tubewell schemes and one existing water supply scheme with 14 million litres per day waste treatment plant (MLD WTP) at Neerettupuram.
The water quality in Vembanad lake and connected canals and rivers has deteriorated so much that it is unusable for human consumption even after costly treatments. The existing old pipelines in the scheme area are prone to breakage, causing leakage of water and affecting the supply pressure, leading to water scarcity in elevated areas
Kuttanad turns brackish during summer owing to saline intrusion from Vembanad lake causing deep pollution.
The 13 panchayats to benefit by the scheme are Thalavady, Edathua, Thakazhy, Muttar, Nedumudy, Ramankary, Champakulam, Neelamper-oor, Kavalam, Pulinkunnu, Kainakary, Veliyanadu and Veeyapuram.
The source is Pampa river at Neerettupuram with an enhanced 30 MLD WTP. Water will course through reservoirs at Thalavady (8 lakh litres), Muttar (3.5), Edathua (11), Nedumudy (8.5), Ramankary (5.5), Champakulam (5.50), Neelamperoor (5.5), Kavalam (8), Pulinkunnu (12), Kainakary (7), Veeyapuram (4.75), Veliyanad (4.5) and Thakazhy (6).
The total annual utilizable yield of 10 rivers draining into the wetland system is estimated to be 12,582 million cubic metres. In Keecheri-Puzhakkal, Karuvannur, Chalakudy, Muvattupuzha and Meenachil rivers, the total requirement for various purposes exceeds the utilizable yield.
The project is proposed to enhance the scheme to 100 litres per capita per day as against 40 lpcd which is inadequate. It will enhance the potential of tourism and floating population.
