KOCHI: Despite strict curbs suggested by the district administration on sourcing and selling drinking water from open wells, highly influential private operators are overexploiting water sources. Sale of potable water is a lucrative business for many individuals in Kalamassery, Kakkanad and eastern parts of the district resulting in depletion of water tables. “It has been decided not to allow the indiscriminate sale of drinking water. Though water from private wells can be sold to the water-scarce areas, well owners can’t sell it indiscriminately for commercial benefit. The groundwater department has been asked to check the status of overexploited wells. All water sources will be conserved, be it private or public and new sources will be identified to cater to the dry areas,” additional district magistrate C.K. Prakash told DC.
Earlier, the district groundwater department had instructed that drawing water should be controlled after conducting a yield test to ascertain the hydraulic properties of the area. There are allegations that in the absence of a regular monitoring system, private operators are selling contaminated water without any quality check. “Indiscriminate drawing of water from open wells has become the most profitable business for few individuals in the area. While the groundwater level is depleting fast, huge tanker lorries collect lakhs of litres of water every day from private wells,” said a Kalamassery resident.
Meanwhile, Kalamassery municipal chairperson Jessy Peter told DC that based on the district collector’s instruction all water selling units in the area had been put on notice to comply with the norms. “The health wing is closely monitoring the quantity of water being drawn and its quality. The units have been asked to submit details of water sale on Monday,” she said. The Kerala Water Authority is selling 1000 litres of properly treated water at Rs 60 while the private operators sell at much cheaper rate. Meanwhile, public protest is mounting against the uncontrolled sale of water especially in eastern parts of the district, and the local bodies are planning to ban the sale of water by private individuals.
Wait for water continues at Thykoodam
Even after strong protests, including a roadblock, the residents of Thykoodam and Poonithura are yet to get drinking water. The Kerala Water Authority is taking maximum efforts to complete the pipeline laying works and resume supply to these areas at the earliest.
“The KWA officials have agreed to finish the works as early as possible. The officials informed us that laying of the pipeline is almost complete and once the sub lines get connected to the main line, the supply will be restored,” said P.S. Shine, division councillor. On Sunday night, the residents including women and children have laid a siege to the busiest Vyttila – Petta Road for several hours resulting in traffic chaos even during the late night.
