KOCHI: It’s an irony of our times that a city which is straining at the leash to embrace rapid infrastructure development is pushing its lifeline into oblivion. Yes, we are talking about the crass neglect of Periyar - the sole drinking water source of millions of Kochiites - which is dying in the hands of unabated pollution.
As per the official data, about 275 mld of water from Periyar is treated at Aluva and supplied to Kochi everyday. The overall water requirement of the city is approximately 440 million litres per day, which means, nearly 70 per cent of Kochi’s water requirements is met with the help of river Periyar.
However, environmentalists say the river is clearly showing symptoms of grave pollution.
“In 2017 alone, the colour of water in Periyar river turned black more than 10 times. We strongly suspect that pollutants from industrial units are the major reason for the colour change,” says Purushan Eloor, a green activist.
The treatment plant supplying water to Kochi is situated at Mahilayalam Kadavu in Aluva. “Periyar is also the source of other water projects like Chowara and Muppathadam.
"The colour of water near the regulator-cum-bridge at Pathalam Bund is now turning brown. It is nearly 10 km away from Aluva Pump house. We have already pinpointed the graveness of the issue to the authorities concerned. They said the water is saline here and the bund is constructed to prevent this water from entering the river. So, we won’t allow them to open the bund shutter till the issue is addressed. They are now trying to open the shutters of the bridge to facilitate water connection to some industrial units. we do not know why the district administration is neglecting the health hazards of water pollution,” said Purushan.
Meanwhile, in the wake of protests by the locals and the green activists, the district administration is planning to open the shutters with the help of police.
C K Prakash, Additional District Magistrate, Ernakulam, said the Irrigation Department has been given directives and it may open the shutters anytime during a low-tide .