Kochi: Disruption in water supply to city and suburbs from Kerala Water Authority Aluva pump house continues as turbidity level in river Periyar remains high. Many parts of the Kochi corporation, Paravur, Aluva, Kalamassery municipalities and nearby panchayats which are solely dependent on Aluva plant are left without water for last two days.
“High level of slush and turbidity has affected normal functioning of the plant. Turbidity level started to increase on Sunday and it reached nearly 284 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit). It is not possible to treat water with such high turbidity level. So treating and pumping had to be regulated,” said Anil Kumar Augustine, assistant executive engineer, KWA.
The permissible level of turbidity in treated water is 5 NTU. Pumping from other pumping stations like Chowara has also been affected. However, level of slush reduced to 110 NTU, but normal pumping from the plant has not been restored. According to KWA officials, 60 per cent of pumping has resumed by Tuesday.
Though district collector Muhammad Y Safirulla informed that supply will be restored by Tuesday evening, it is yet to be normal.
The KSEB authorities have been asked to increase power production in Edamalayar and Lower Periyar dams to discharge more water to the downstream of Periyar for reducing turbidity level.
A major reason cited for sudden increase in turbidity level is the floods when several trees uprooted along the river banks, which caused more sediments and silt to sweep into the rivers.
