The Hindu 11.07.2013
Do not muddy the waters, says KWA
The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has sought to allay
fears of muddy water in the Periyar affecting the drinking water supply
to lakhs of Kochiites from its Aluva pumping station.
Anitha
C.O., assistant executive engineer of the head works section at Aluva,
rejected reports that the turbidity level in the river had turned
alarming. The maximum level was only 22 ntu (nephelometric turbidity
units) on Wednesday. The turbidity level on Tuesday was 25 ntu. The
level was brought down to the prescribed limits by adding water
treatment chemicals in the water supply system to improve the quality.
Ms.
Anitha said that water started getting muddier owing to the heavy rain.
“We could ensure uninterrupted water supply even when the turbidity
level went up to 100 ntu a month ago,” she said.
KWA
officials said that removal of silt at the Kallarkutty and
Bhoothathankettu dams would result in the discolouration of the Periyar
in the coming days. Usually, the heavy discharge triggers a colour
change in the river and water starts getting muddier, they said.
Continuous
monitoring of water levels is progressing to check the water quality.
Alum and lime are also used to bring the water quality level within
acceptable limits. Efforts are also on to keep pH (the pH of a solution
indicates whether it is acidic or alkaline) and turbidity levels within
the permissible limits.
