The Kozhikode District Administration has decided to take out an intensive campaign to create water literacy among the general public as well as to protect the underground water sources, in the wake of the draught being experienced in the district. The activities include protecting public ponds along the Kuttiadi canal and using the water in abandoned quarries after treatment.
The department of underground water resources, Centre for Water resources Development and Management (CWRDM), and the department of geology will lead the campaign with the help of the local bodies.
The police will be alerted regarding pollution of water bodies with solid waste. Hospitals and private apartment complexes will be encouraged to harvest rain water. The campaign will focus on students and the general public.
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The water lost through public taps during distribution is a major concern of the campaign. As per the records, 15 to 25 per cent of the water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority is thus lost. The campaign will aim at creating awareness against wasting water in this manner. There will also be attempts to restrict the use of clean water for uses other than drinking. Recycled water can be used for other purposes.
Kozhikode, Balusseri and Kunnamangalam block panchayats are the most draught-hit in the district, as per a study conducted by the CWRDM. Hence, priority will be given to these blocks while allocating draught relief fund.