Kerala - Kochi   

Plea for alternative water sources

G. Krishnakumar

KOCHI: Public demand for developing non-conventional water sources in Ernakulam district is building up, with many areas reeling under severe water shortage. Freshwater sources have been left untapped for want of support from the authorities.

Scientists at the School of Environmental Studies at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) recently found that 22 of the 65 canals in Kochi could be considered "potential freshwater sources."

People in the city have also called for development of alternative resources that may help to reduce the acute water scarcity in many areas.

C.O. Abraham, who lives in an apartment near Palarivattom, says: "We buy at least one load (12,000 litres) of water daily. For a load of water transported in a tanker lorry, the apartment owners' association pays Rs. 400."

Mr. Abraham suggests conservation of marshes and other wetlands to tackle the problem of water shortage. V.N. Sivasankara Pillai, former Director of School of Rural Development and Appropriate Technology at Cusat, has proposed that such sites be converted into water parks.

Dr. Pillai, who led a research on exploring new water sources in Kochi region, says that trees should be planted to protect such sites. He suggests de-silting and cleaning of water reservoirs before converting them into storage tanks.

P.V. Benjamin, landscape architect of Greater Cochin Development Authority, who was part of research on "Salinity intrusion and water quality variation in the tidal canals of Cochin — a search for alternative sources," says: "We have submitted the recommendations to the Government for follow-up action."

Mr. Benjamin warns that indiscriminate reclamation of marshes and other wetlands will affect the geographical pattern of many areas in Kochi. He says that changes in the land-use pattern will add to the water problems.

P.S. Gopinathan Nair, who has written books on drinking water scarcity and rainwater harvesting, says that local bodies should take the lead in creating awareness on how to save water. He says that low-cost rainwater harvesting techniques will help to address water shortage.

Dr. Pillai says that Kadamprayar, Chitrapuzha, Karingachirapuzha and Panar are found to have freshwater for most part of the year.

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