The Hindu 21.01.2011
Singapore experts suggest steps for better water supply
A team of experts from Singapore on Thursday suggested some measures to
improve the water distribution network and solid waste management in the
city.
The team is in the city in connection with a workshop on Urban Governance and Management Partnership Programme.
Long and short-term strategies are required to solve
some of the existing problems. A proper monitoring mechanism is required
to reduce the loss of drinking water during distribution, said Choor
Sai Meng, specialist, Major Projects, during an interaction with the
media on Thursday.
He said the ownership of water meters should be
entrusted with the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) rather than with
individual households. This would not only bring in transparency but
also help to quickly replace faulty meters.
Susan Jacob, technical member, KWA, said steps had
already been taken to introduce the system. In collaboration with the
Fluid Control Research Institute, Palakkad, the KWA was planning to set
up a meter testing laboratory and repair centre at Nettoor, Kochi. These
laboratories would be set up on the lines of the one functioning in
Singapore. However, replacement of the old meters would take place with
the commissioning of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
in the city, she said.
The five-day workshop, which concludes on Friday, is
being organised by the Local Self-Government Department; Kerala
Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP); Temasek Foundation, a
Singapore-government investment firm; and the Singapore Cooperation
Enterprise (SCE).
Regarding solid waste management, Dan Pitzler, principal
technologist, and Kon Chee Min, project delivery manager, CH2M HILL,
said untreatable waste rejects accumulated at the dumping ground at
Njeliyamparamba should be shifted to a new properly engineered landfill
site away from the city. These should be covered without causing
environmental problems.
