Page 212 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE184

4.193 Deforestation is a threat to the sustainability of water resources. Deforestation has two impacts,
firstly it affects the replenishing capacity of water bodies and secondly it results in lower storage
capacity of the soil. Soil is washed off with water and leads to sedimentation in rivers. Deforestation
also affects the river ecology and water quality across the length and breadth of rivers. Kerala’s forest
land has been diminishing very fast.

4.194 Urbanisation poses a major challenge to the provision of safe drinking water. These challenges
emerge for two reasons: one from the ever increasing demand both from domestic as well as
industrial needs and second, the dependence on water sources which are located at faraway places.
The pace of urbanization in Kerala is high as compared to other states in India. While Percentage of
Urban Population is 31 in India, it is 47 in Kerala. Major problems associated with rapid urbanization
are lack of universal accessibility of drinking water, ineffective distribution of water supply, deprivation
among the people, high level of pollution, water shortage, wastage due to old leaking pipeline etc.
Primary source of pollution in the urban region is the untreated industrial and domestic wastewater.
Even if technical solutions have brought significant changes,, wastewater treatment is still a problem
in Kerala. Industries discharge hazardous pollutants like phosphates, sulphides, ammonia, fluorides,
heavy metals and insecticides into the rivers. Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and
Environment estimated that nearly 260 million litres of industrial effluents reach the Periyar estuary
daily from the Kochi industrial belt. It is noticed that rivers such as Chalakudy, Muvattupuzha,
Meenachil, Pamba and Achenkovil are highly polluted with bacterial contamination.

4.195 Currently, there are enormous losses in the water distribution system in Kerala. It is estimated
that nearly 40 percent water has to be counted as the distribution loss. Lack of repair/replacement
of old pipe lines, pumps motors and electrical installations are major reasons for this huge loss. This
necessitates comprehensive engineering solutions and these must be complemented with social
response from end users. In 2009-10, Kerala Water Authority produced water at the rate of 1890.64
million litres per day (mlpd) and distributed at the rate of 1417.90 mlpd through piped water supply
system. The unaccounted for water (ufw) is 543 mld, which implies that the estimated distribution
loss of water produced is 25 per cent.

4.196 Rural drinking water is one of the six components of Bharat Nirman, the rural infrastructure
programme of the country. The existing schemes have greatly increased the coverage of safe
drinking water in the rural areas of the country. However, some problems exist. Many habitations
which once came under the “covered” status have slipped back to the “partially covered” or even
“uncovered” status. As on 30/09/2014, out of 11883 habitations in Kerala, 1550 habitations (13%)
have slipped back. It means that, once created, a water supply system must be constantly monitored,
and supported with adequate interventions, when necessary.

4.197 It is generally observed that, Projects for drinking water which can address the concerns of the
state involve huge costs and often have long gestation period. Funding and financing such projects
is a major issue. Acquisition of land for projects is also a major hurdle. Timely maintenance and
upgradation of the existing infrastructure is another area which needs greater attention. Many of the
water supply schemes existing in Kerala are hour based. It means that water supply is available for
only part of the day. Enhancing the capacities, to provide 24*7 water supply is another challenge.
Issues in specific regions like hill areas, coastal areas, and quality affected areas cannot be
addressed with the traditional methods. They need to be solved through unconventional yet modern
technological interventions which are not forthcoming.

Effective Water Management

4.198 Sustainable management should be the strategy for Kerala’s endeavours in the sector in
the future. It is now being recognised that management of water in the state needs a holistic and

Kerala State Planning Board