Aluva Municipality to impose curbs on water tankers

Water tankers’ to be strictly monitored from April 1

The gap in the city’s water demand temporarily met by tanker lorries that draw water from wells in Aluva is likely to stay, with the Aluva Municipality taking a strict stand on water uptake from the wells under its jurisdiction.

Lissy Abraham, chairperson of Aluva Municipality, told The Hindu that only tanker lorry owners with licence will be allowed to draw water from Aluva.

Water tankers’ licence and quality will be strictly monitored from April 1 onwards.

The District Collector has been apprised of the decision, she said.

When quality water is available with the Kerala Water Authority’s treatment plant, water tankers need not exploit the wells in Aluva where resources are depleting because of the extreme weather, she said.

Tankers lorries are reportedly drawing about 1,500 loads of water from various wells in and around Aluva, rural areas in the eastern side of the district and also from the water available at the Kerala Water Authority's pump houses in Aluva and Maradu.

Of the over 40-odd wells identified by the district administration, only about 20 wells are available for water offtake, said Ramachandran, president of the Ernakulam District Drinking Water Transporters Welfare Association. If permission is denied, there will be a crisis, he said.

Depending upon the distance covered, the charges go up, he said. KWA water costs ₹60 for 1,000 litres while well water supplied by tanker lorries is charged ₹500 for 35,000 litres for a short distance. Tankers of various capacities, from 6,000 litres to 35,000 litres, are available. Most of the demand is for 6,000 litres to 10,000 litres.