Rising sea level and atmospheric temperature and changes in rainfall patterns can upset the drinking water availability in Kochi, warn water experts.
The experts have sounded caution in the water policy document prepared for the city. The Water Institute of the SCMS College of Engineering, Kalamassery, had prepared the document as part of the efforts for a water management system in the city.
Increase in sea level due to climate change would “alter the coastal drainage gradients resulting in flooding and intrusion of salt water in coastal aquifers. The Corporation shall prepare a rehabilitation strategy for the future population in coastal zones,” it said.
Experts pointed out that the possibility of Kochi becoming warmer in the coming decades. They arrived at the conclusion after analysing the “long-term analysis of mean annual temperature in Kochi,” which showed a temperature rise of 1°Celcius in the past 50 years.
The increase in temperature would lead to “increased rates of water evaporation and demands for potable water.”
Steps for reducing the evaporation losses and augmenting the existing supplies to meet increased demand such as recycling and desalination should be adopted, it suggested.
The intense rainfall with short spells, as experienced in Kochi, can decrease the “rainwater recharge to underground aquifers as the storm run-off quickly flows in to the sea and creates water shortages in the following summer season.”
Rooftop rainwater
Considering the situation, the Kochi Corporation shall promote “rooftop rainwater collection and recharge of wells and ponds as an adaptation strategy. Regulations shall be formulated to decide on the total area of impervious paving allowable in construction projects for enhancing rain water infiltration,” it suggested.
The analysis also identified the lack of adequate and safe sanitation measures as the major source of contamination for city’s water resource.
They have sounded caution in the water policy document prepared for the city.
