The Times of India 22.02.2013
Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram to get micro water treatment plants soon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The
Kerala water authority (KWA) is planning to set up mirco water treatment
plants (MWTP) in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam as part of its plan
to tackle the impending drought. The authority's plan involves getting
drinking water from local water bodies, including quarries.
The Rs 42-lakh project envisages treatment and supply of water from small and medium water bodies in areas facing severe water shortage. The KWA has invited tenders for the manufacture, supply and commissioning of skid-mounted and portable micro water treatment plants with capacities to treat 5,000 and 10,000 litres per hour (lph). Plans are afoot to procure three MWTPs of 5,000 lph capacity each and two of 10,000 lph capacity.
A team of KWA officials that inspected similar MWTPs in Hyderabad had found them effective, said micro water treatment plant superintending engineer (PH circle) K Sasi. "A number of companies have approached us. Once the tender is awarded by first week of March, the company will be able to supply the machinery by March end," he said. He said KWA circle in Ernakulam has already requested for the supply of MWTPs.
"Such micro treatment plants will be highly useful in small and medium water bodies and pockets which hold rainwater. The MWTPs can treat water collected in such small pockets such as quarries.
The MWTPs are movable and can be operated anywhere. The only thing is that it requires uninterrupted power supply," Sasi said. Meanwhile, coastal areas that face drinking water crisis will not get benefit of the new facility as the MWTPs cannot treat saline water.
The MWTPs of 5,000-lph capacity will cost around Rs 8 lakh and those with 10,000-lph capacity will cost around Rs 9.5 lakh.
The state has a number of abandoned quarries which now serve as rain water harvesting areas. The recent government move to dump waste in these quarries had invited criticism as most of them serve as a source of water for local residents.
The Rs 42-lakh project envisages treatment and supply of water from small and medium water bodies in areas facing severe water shortage. The KWA has invited tenders for the manufacture, supply and commissioning of skid-mounted and portable micro water treatment plants with capacities to treat 5,000 and 10,000 litres per hour (lph). Plans are afoot to procure three MWTPs of 5,000 lph capacity each and two of 10,000 lph capacity.
A team of KWA officials that inspected similar MWTPs in Hyderabad had found them effective, said micro water treatment plant superintending engineer (PH circle) K Sasi. "A number of companies have approached us. Once the tender is awarded by first week of March, the company will be able to supply the machinery by March end," he said. He said KWA circle in Ernakulam has already requested for the supply of MWTPs.
"Such micro treatment plants will be highly useful in small and medium water bodies and pockets which hold rainwater. The MWTPs can treat water collected in such small pockets such as quarries.
The MWTPs are movable and can be operated anywhere. The only thing is that it requires uninterrupted power supply," Sasi said. Meanwhile, coastal areas that face drinking water crisis will not get benefit of the new facility as the MWTPs cannot treat saline water.
The MWTPs of 5,000-lph capacity will cost around Rs 8 lakh and those with 10,000-lph capacity will cost around Rs 9.5 lakh.
The state has a number of abandoned quarries which now serve as rain water harvesting areas. The recent government move to dump waste in these quarries had invited criticism as most of them serve as a source of water for local residents.
