THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district collector Biju Prabhakar has warned of legal action against those illegally exploiting the drinking water supplied through KWA pipelines using heavy duty pump sets.
“With the summer heat hitting the district hard, the water scarcity situation has become acute. It is illegal for hospitals, hotels, lodges, shopping complexes and marriage halls to connect pumps to the water line and siphon off water,” Mr Prabhakar said in a statement.
While KWA top brass said that such incidents had not been reported in the capital, lower ranking officers said that it was very likely considering the consumption pattern of certain multi- speciality hospitals.
“I don't think the existing pressure in the pipelines may be enough to fill up multiple water tanks in some hospitals. Many are not seen depending on water tanks and hence there is likelihood of malpractices going on. Citizens should inform the matter to the water authority if it comes to their notice. Firstly, it denies drinking water to local residents who are gripped by a water crisis. And secondly, this can lead to damage to our assets,” said a KWA official.
The vaccum created by the motor pumps can cause a pipe burst in the city which already frequently experiences bursts. When asked about such a possibility, KWA Chief Engineer Mr Thomas Issac said he that he had not yet taken note of such issues.
“The water storage tanks of most hospitals and hotels get 24x7 supply even now. So the need for such abuse is very unlikely even during this summer,” he said.
