The city’s thirst for water is rising steadily with 1,000-odd new connections added to the distribution network annually.
Officials of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) say that as of now, the demand-supply gap of 70 million litres a day (mld) for piped water supply is just about manageable as they apportion the available water to different parts of the city.
However, with the existing infrastructure for generation of potable water, the city would be unable to meet the demand, going by the rate at which the number of connections is increasing under each sub-division.
Therefore, it is important that the city’s water supply is augmented with the proposed 180 mld plant at Kalamassery.
The demand-supply gap generally goes up in summer, which is just about a month away. The city, on an average, gets 220-240 mld of water from the Aluva and Maradu treatment plants.
The Aluva plant generates water at 280-290 mld, above its capacity of 225 mld.
The city gets about 140 mld, after meeting the demands of the municipalities of Aluva, Eloor, Kalamassery and nearby panchayats.
Officials of the KWA believe that the city will require an additional 140 mld as a futuristic measure as there is an increase in the resident population, increasing influx of the floating population and more commercial requirements.
More bulk demand is expected with more apartments coming up.
A flat complex is considered a “bulk consumer” as water is provided to the complex as a single unit, linked to the supply line with a bigger pipe.
“An increase in the floating population of the city by about 10% and the increasing trade, commerce and industrial activities have added to the demand,” says an executive engineer.
