Source : The Hindu Date : 08.06.2009
Drinking water projects for Kuttanad
Staff Reporter
‘Repair and maintenance of pipelines a problem’
Plans to purify water using mobile units
ALAPPUZHA: With water supply authorities facing flak for the outbreak of cholera in Kuttanad, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran has said that enough projects to ensure supply of pure drinking water in adequate measures will be initiated in the water-logged region.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Premachandran agreed that water-borne diseases were recurring in Kuttanad due to consumption of contaminated water, which in turn was prompted by the shortage of pure drinking water.
One reason for contaminated water entering supply networks was the obstacles faced in repair and maintenance of the pipelines. Many of the pipelines that carry water to the interior regions of Kuttanad are submerged under water, making regular maintenance a difficult task, he said.
Plans were also afoot to replicate in Alappuzha the water purification method using mobile units like the ones in Thiruvananthapuram. The projects that would be drawn out for Kuttanad would also ensure that there were enough storage tanks and borewells.
A meeting of public representatives and officials concerned would be convened at Alappuzha on June 9 to discuss on the water supply system and initiate steps required to improve it, the Minister added
