The Deccan Chronicle                01.05.2013

64 MLD water flows unaccounted

Kochi: As the city thirsts, it is 64 million litre of water flows unaccounted every day. When the Kerala Water Authority is supplying 168 MLD water to the city, only 104 MLD is being billed. A sizable quantity of the unaccounted water flows to unauthorised connections. According to the Non-Revenue Water Management, the special anti-theft squad of KWA, water theft and illegal connections have become rampant in the city bludgeoning the revenue loss of the Authority.

“Following our effective intervention, there is a considerable decrease in water misuse and theft. Consumption of some major non-domestic consumers increased from 30 kilo litre to 500 kilo litre, when we replaced the faulty and forged metres. It means, the quantity of unbilled water might be decreased significantly,” said K.M. Siddique, KWA assistant executive engineer and chief of the NRWM unit.

The NRWM could garner more than Rs 20 lakh from major defaulters. “Water theft is more rampant in Kochi when compared to other cities in the state. Commercial consumers including hotels and construction sites are the major law breakers,” he added. Meanwhile, several defaulting non-domestic users, though served with notices, are yet to pay the dues.

However, the NRWM is imposing fine only on major offenders and not levying fine from domestic consumers who have faulty metres. The officials have repaired several tampered metres and prevented unauthorised drawing of water from pipelines which helped to provide more water to the customers with valid connections. Due to unauthorised water connections, those having valid connections are deprived of water supply with remote areas in West Kochi worst affected.

Though the increase in revenue can be assessed only through a detailed survey, there is a definite decrease in water theft and quantity of unaccounted water, said the NRWM chief.