The Hindu 02.08.2012
Water tankers bridge the deficit
The demand-supply gap for water of about 50 per cent, is met by over 400 water tanker lorries operating in the district.Till the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) augments the water supply in the Corporation and nearby areas, many have to depend on the water brought in by these tankers and stored in the underground sumps.
Many commercial establishments and flats are the regular users of water brought in by tanker lorries. The number of trips that each tanker makes is a little less because of the rainy season.
These days it is only about two loads a day but the peak summers sees a minimum of five loads a day, said Ubaid M. I., joint secretary of the Ernakulam District Drinking Water Owners’ Welfare Association.
Water supplied by KWA is never sufficient for all the users in flats, especially during the dry spell. The extra supply is met by these water tankers.
With the Health department cracking down on the tanker lorries carrying making hectic trips, the sources from where the tankers can source water came to be monitored. There are 106 authorised wells from where the tankers collect water, said P. N. Sreenivasan, district health officer. The water collected needs to be properly chlorinated before supplying, he said.
Health officials test the quality of the wells once a month, said Mr. Sreenivasan.“We are all for the measures taken by the Health officials”, said Mr. Ubaid.However. there may be other tanker lorry operators who are supplying water without permits.
“Our Association members (57 in number) have taken the Corporation registration and also display the Association’s emblem,” he added.With less rains this monsoon so far, the tanker lorry owners are also worried about their resources drying up in the coming season that would see more demand for water.
If the identified sources dry up, the private tanker suppliers would have to turn towards the water treated by the KWA, he said, adding that it would add to the cost of supplying water.
