KOZHIKODE: City folks might be apprehensive about the quality of water to be supplied through the multi-crore Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-aided potable water project, probably by the second week of October. However, the JICA project officials say that there is no cause for worry as the water will be hundred per cent pure and crystal clear. The water meant for Kozhikode Corporation and 13 grama panchayats in the district will be pumped from the Peruvannamuzhi dam, which is located around 60 km away from the city.
"The water will be pure and crystal clear," say the officials behind the project, briefing the series of purification procedures to 'City Express' at the 173 MLD (million litres per day) water treatment plant at Peruvannamoozhi. “Those at the receiving end of the project can rest assured as the water is being pumped without making any compromise on either quality or quantity,” says chief engineer of JICA, S Ratheesh. “A series of water purifying procedures are to be done at the water treatment plant constructed here and the distribution network before water reaches the people,” he says. According to the officials with the JICA project, the purification procedures of the JICA plant are different from those of the Kerala Water Authority.
At the JICA plant, water pumped from the intake well will be first treated at a ‘chamber,' where lime and alum will be mixed. Air bubbles will be removed from the chamber and then the water will be flowed to a pulsator, a mechanism designed by Degremont Limited.
The unique design combines flocculation and clarification functions in one basin for optimal use of space. Then, traditional filtering will be done in the filtering beds. The process does not end here. The filtered water then flows to a chlorine tank to ensure complete disinfection. After collecting the potable water in a reservoir, the pumping will begin. Before beginning the pumping, the entire distribution network will be checked and sanitised. Flushing is the process to be done to disinfect the entire water distribution networks.
“The entire system has been designed using advanced technologies to maintain our commitment to the safety and health of people,” says Arvind Kumar Sharma, manager-projects and construction with Degremont Limited, the implementing agency of the JICA scheme.
“Every flaw pointed out by experts during their inspections so far have been duly corrected. We have also sought suggestions from experts to make high quality drinking water available to the citizens,” he says.
M G Vinod Kumar, senior chemist with the water quality division of the Kerala Water Authority, says, "Since the source point is a dam, deterioration of water quality will never be a problem.” Once the trial pumping commences from here, those residing in the city will receive JICA water without any interruption.
At the same time, the project can be called complete only when 13 grama panchayats, including Kadalundi, Olavanna, Perumanna, Nanmanda, Balussery, Peruvayal, Chelannur, Kunnamangalam, Thalakulathur,
Kakkoor, Kakkodi, Narikuni and Kuruvattoor in the district start receiving water, says Ratheesh.