The proposed 190-million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), which will benefit five municipalities and 13 grama panchayats, is expected to get government nod soon.
The areas that will benefit directly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project include the Kochi Corporation, Aluva, Thrikkakara, Kalamassery, Eloor and Maradu municipalities, and Kumbalam, Kumbalangi, Chellanam, Varappuzha, Cheranalloor, Kadamakkudi, Mulavukad, Elamkunnappuzha, Njarakkal, Nayarambalam, Keezhmad, Edathala and Choornikkara grama panchayats.
The proposal, updated after a revision in the cost estimate, was put on hold following the announcement of the local body elections but is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, KWA sources said. The ₹523-crore project has been designed to bridge the projected gap in water demand by 2050, they added.
At present, the water requirements of the Corporation and adjoining areas are met by four treatment plants at Aluva, which have a combined production capacity of 225 MLD. In addition, there is a 100-MLD plant at Maradu. By the end of 2050, 478 MLD of purified drinking water will be required for the Corporation and surrounding areas, the sources said.
“The plant has been designed to move beyond conventional water treatment methodologies. It incorporates a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, thereby modernising and automating the water supply. Sensors will also be installed to aid precise monitoring of the system, ensure trouble-free functioning, and enable control of all valves and related equipment. The plant will use dual-media filtration units, double clarification using sludge blanket and plate settlers, and solar power for sensors,” the sources said.
Another aspect is its ability to withstand floods, as the site will be located at a higher elevation. Besides, the plant can be effectively managed as it is close to the existing four plants, they added.
The proposed plant will be constructed on 1.57 hectares of land owned by the KWA at Aluva, around 200 metres from the existing plants. Construction is expected to be completed in 15 months.