Times News NetworkThiruvananthapuram: Work to augment the 74 MLD water-treatment plant at Aruvikkara is expected to begin within three months. The tender process has been completed, and the work agreement finalised, a Kerala Water Authority (KWA) engineer said. The project will increase the plant’s capacity by 10 MLD and is aimed at improving drinking-water supply.“The main aim of the project is to increase water supply, especially to elevated regions in the city. These areas face more intense shortages during summer, particularly when demand increases and the existing system comes under pressure. The additional treatment capacity is expected to improve supply to such areas,” the engineer said.The official said the requirements for the project had already been sent to the contractor and a detailed outline plan would be prepared before work begins. Pumps, equipment and other materials will be selected based on the requirements of the treatment plant and the areas that will receive the additional water.“The pumps and other materials have to be selected according to the requirements of the project. The equipment should be suitable for improving supply to areas where the water-supply issue is more serious. An assistant executive engineer will inspect the equipment and materials before the work is taken forward,” he said.KWA is also factoring in the possibility of lower rainfall in the coming months while planning the augmentation.“We have been informed that the rainfall will be low in the coming months. Therefore, we need to prepare accordingly. The objective is to strengthen the system before the peak summer season, when water scarcity is expected to become more severe,” the official said.The augmentation will take the capacity of the 74 MLD plant to 84 MLD. The project is expected to be completed within nine months. The additional capacity is expected to help KWA meet rising demand, improve water pressure and reduce interruptions in supply to households in elevated areas and adjoining regions.Meanwhile, KWA has floated an Rs 8.19-crore tender for the renovation and augmentation of another treatment plant at Aruvikkara, with a capacity of 72 MLD. Its capacity will also be increased by 10 MLD. The tender process is scheduled to be completed on Sept 19.According to the tender document, the project involves renovation and augmentation of the 72 MLD Aruvikkara water-treatment plant to provide an additional 10 MLD for the Thiruvananthapuram water-supply scheme. The project is being taken up under the Amrut scheme and has a stipulated completion period of nine months from the date of handing over the site.The Thiruvananthapuram city water-supply system is primarily dependent on the Karamana river system, with Peppara and Aruvikkara reservoirs serving as its main surface-water sources. The city has three treatment plants at Aruvikkara, with capacities of 86 MLD, 74 MLD and 72 MLD, and a 36 MLD plant at Vellayambalam—a combined installed capacity of 268 MLD. KWA officials have estimated the city’s water requirement at over 400 MLD.
