KWA takes steps to avoid water contamination

KOCHI: With summer tightening its grip on the city, Kochiites are worried about the quantity as well as the quality of the water. Contamination of potable water due to leaks in the pipeline is nothing new to Kochiites, especially during summers. The high level of impurities present in the water makes it unfit not only for drinking but for other purposes as well.“Contamination of water occurs mainly due to bursting or cracking of pipes which results in contaminants entering the water stream through the leaks. However, regular surveillance of water quality and residual chlorine is being carried out to ensure that the water supplied is safe,” said Jolly Thomas, Executive Engineer of Quality Control Division, Kerala Water Authority (KWA).She added that KWA has been putting in efforts to ensure presence of at least 1.5 ppm (parts per million) residual chlorine in the water supplied. It also regularly looks into water quality parameters like colour, pH, turbidity, hardness, presence of fluorides, chlorides, calcium, magnesium and alkalinity. “An hourly check is conducted at all the pumping stations to ensure that the stipulated standards are adhered to. Moreover, we also conduct random, lightning inspections to verify the same. So far, we have not found any discrepancies,” said Jolly.However, she accepted that incidents of water contamination are common in the West Kochi area. “Since water scarcity is severe in the region, people use hand pumps to draw water. While doing so, the pressure inside the pipe will be low. Since most of the drinking water pipelines pass through canals and other water logged areas, water from outside would enter the distribution system and contaminate the potable water,” she said.The Ernakulam wing of the Quality Control Division is in-charge of both Ernakulam and Idukki districts.