New water source likely for Thiruvananthapuram

Plan to build water treatment plant at Neyyar

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is actively considering a proposal to have a second water source for the city, now solely dependant on the Peppara Dam. It is examining the possibility of setting up a major water treatment plant (WTP) that will draw water from the Neyyar Dam.

The latest one will be different from the idea that was floated a year back to lay pipelines from the Neyyar Dam, said Ashok Kumar Singh, Managing Director, KWA.

“The move then was to spend about Rs.5 crore for pipelines from Neyyar, which would bring water when the Peppara Dam ran dry. However, when the technicalities were worked out, it was found that the move would bring water barely sufficient for two days for the city. Now, we are examining the possibility of a permanent set-up there, ensuring about 60 to 70 million litres a day (MLD) for the city on a continuous basis when water levels go down in the Peppara Dam,” Mr. Singh told

The Hindu .

The Peppara Dam has been the city’s sole source of drinking water, with the city plunging into severe crisis when water levels, which rise up to a maximum of 104.5 metres, fall drastically.

‘Comfortable’ situation The current situation in Peppara, Mr. Singh said, was ‘comfortable’ with the water level pegged at around 103 metres. According to Mr. Singh, a feasibility report on a WTP connected to the Neyyar Dam would be ready shortly. Studies are on to see how a 100 MLD plant, to be situated at Aruvikkara under the Maranalloor police station limits near Neyyar, would work out. Incidentally, water from Peppara reaches a reservoir at Aruvikkara, this one being on the shores of the Karamana River. The Aruvikkara near Neyyar too is not so far from the city, with the distance from PTP Nagar being barely 12 km, he said.

The idea was to enhance the water supply in the local areas as well, with 60-70 MLD drawn for the city, and the rest to be distributed locally, he said.

The water level in Peppara Dam, which had plunged to an all-time low of 91 metres on May 31, 2013, increased due to copious rain in July, and by the second week of July, water flowed over the crest of the dam.