KWA to float bids for water treatment plant in two months

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is all set to invite tenders for the setting up of a 190-million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant in Aluva.

The tender for the plant, which is expected to solve the drinking water crisis in Kochi, will be floated in two months, the authorities said. The new plant is also expected to meet the projected water supply demands of the population by 2050. The plan outlay for the same is ₹523 crores and will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The 190-MLD capacity plant will be set up in the KWA’s compound in Aluva, around 200 metres from the existing plants. The plant is expected to be completed in 15 months. The company will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the plant for five years. Water for the plant will be drawn from the Periyar.

At present, the water requirements of the Kochi Corporation are being met by four water treatment plants in Aluva. “The first was set up in 1965, while the second is 50 years old. The actual production capacity from the four plants is 225 MLD. There is another 100-MLD plant in Maradu. The Corporation alone has a demand of 260 MLD. Currently, the Corporation and adjoining panchayats are experiencing water scarcity due to this demand–supply gap. There is a gap of 49 MLD, which is expected to expand to 80 MLD by 2050. The new plant has been designed taking into account the projected population demands of 2050,” said a KWA official.

By implementing this new plant, the KWA plans to supply additional water to the Corporation, 13 adjoining panchayats, and five municipalities.