KOCHI: Ernakulam district which received normal rainfall during the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons is reeling under water shortage even before the onset of summer.
The Collector has ordered action after he received several complaints from different quarters on exploitation of water sources.Water from abandoned quarries, canals and private wells are being tapped and sold for drinking.
But we have to remain vigilant as the real summer is still two months away”, said Antony John, Kothamangalam MLA.
Ernakulam MLA Hibi Eden said that areas in his constituency were reeling under severe shortage, especially Vaduthala, Pachalam, Chittor and Cheranellore areas.
“The Kerala Water Authority which is supposed to tackle it is not doing its job properly and the KWA system is not effective.
For Kochi city area, the drinking water pumping is mainly done from Thammanam and Pachalam pump houses of KWA, but it is done only on alternate days.
So there are a lot of disruptions in drinking water supply,” said Hibi Eden.
“Even that scheme which is supposed to pump 100 mld water is functioning only up to 50 percent of its capacity,” Hibi added.
An expert pointed out that people should make conscious use of water in due to the scarcity.
The situation warranted conservation of the available water resources and a culture of using water in a judicious manner, he added.