Minister finds fault with KWA

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 28. It is the failure of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to effectively implement all the clauses of the Japanese Bank for International Corporation-aided drinking water scheme that has caused this much delay in the implementation of the project, the Irrigation Minister Mr. T.M. Jacob, has said.

Inaugurating a new office complex at the headquarters of the KWA here today, Mr. Jacob said the project should have been commissioned by now, had things gone the way they should have. The KWA has no means to increase its income now. Raising the water tax does not appear feasible at the present time. The only way left is to manage the Authority's resources in a better fashion.

However, when the Government directed that water meter readings be taken at least once in two months, there were vehement objections from the KWA staff. "We can even consider giving those staff a promotion, but they should kindly cooperate with the Government," he said.

The Minister later also inaugurated the KWA's new surveillance room set up at Peroorkada junction, to monitor leaks, bursts and other faults in the water distribution system beginning at Aruvikkara.

New mechanism

Today, the KWA also unveiled a new mechanism for the speedy rectification of leaks in the Pre-stressed Concrete (PSC) pipes used extensively in the distribution network. The technology that is being provided by a private company uses a collar made out of a special rubber compound to seal the leak in a pipeline joint. Another collar is then placed on the outside of the pipeline and a steel bracket is then screwed on.

KWA officials say they can now rectify a leak in three hours, once the pipeline has been exposed. Once the steel bracket has been put in place, pumping can immediately be resumed. Earlier, the leaking pipeline had to be replaced and time had to be given for the filler material to get set before commencement of pumping. The approximate cost of one bracket, using this method, will be Rs. 25,000, about one fourth the cost incurred in the past for rectifying a single leak, officials said.

The KWA has also procured equipment for monitoring the health of the pipelines and detecting any leaks in them, the officials added.

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