KOCHI: Even the worst of summer season isn’t prodding the municipal authorities to take necessary steps for water conservation The State is facing one of the worst droughts that it has faced in last five decades. Though the State Government has launched intense campaigns to preserve water, lack of measures to recharge the aquifers and inefficient rain water harvesting remain major concerns.
For instance, Eloor, the industrial belt in Ernakulam is one of the areas faced with acute water scarcity. Considering the potable water shortage, rain water harvesting was made mandatory by the local self-government, and as the next step, rain water harvest storage reservoirs were installed in the premises of nine governmental organisations.
The programme was launched with the help of Rajagiri Outreach Society in 2008. But, soon after the implementation, without proper monitoring and maintenance, nine of the reservoirs are in an abandoned state.
The average cost for setting up each reservoir was estimated at Rs one lakh. The nine tanks were set up at various locations in the municipality including S C colony, Municipal Shopping Complex and P H C. Out of the nine structures, the condition of some of the reservoirs like the one near the Municipal complex is pathetic.
“Due to the shortage of water, most of the establishments in the Municipal building complex have already shifted to other places. The employees of the remaining offices situated here mainly depend on the houses nearby for their water requirements,“ said Reena, an employee in the municipal shopping complex.
Most of the tanks have no proper pipe connections to collect and distribute water. The locals pointed out that lack of maintenance and the lackadaisical attitude of the officials are the prime reasons for the nearly dilapidated condition of the water tanks. “The maintenance contract has already expired. The was no effort from the municipality officials to re-tender the work,” said M P Antony, project director, Rajagiri Outreach Society.
“Considering the gravity of the situation, water scarcity is the major issue that has been given priority in Eloor Municipality’s budget for the next financial year. We will launch “Clean Eloor” which will include programmes designed for clearing wastes from the water-bodies in the municipality. We will be renovating the rain water reservoirs as well”, said Siji Babu, chairperson of the municipality.
- Bhanu Ullas, Anil Surya, Anagha K Nair