Thiruvananthapuram: Ever-increasing demand for drinking water resulting from rapid urbanisation has affected the capital district’s ageing distribution network, leaving thousands of households vulnerable to recurring supply disruptions.Data accessed by TOI from Kerala Water Authority (KWA) shows that more than 51,000 water shortage complaints and over 27,000 leakage complaints have been registered across key sections under the Thiruvananthapuram circle. Kazhakkoottam section, which has witnessed explosive growth in IT parks, apartment complexes and residential colonies, received the highest number of complaints — 21,870 (water shortage) and 4,077 (leakage). Palayam section, covering large parts of the city centre, has received 8,422 (water shortage) and 5,268 (leakage).KWA officials attributed the recurring problems primarily to the city’s ageing infrastructure. Many pipelines and valves in the capital are over 50 years old and were designed for a much smaller population and significantly lower water demand.“Kazhakkoottam region, for example, has undergone massive transformation. The old pipelines are unable to handle the increased load, resulting in frequent bursts and supply interruptions,” a senior KWA official said.Major transmission lines passing through Ambalamukku and Muttada have suffered repeated failures in recent years. Increased pressure in the network frequently causes ageing pipelines to burst, affecting water supply to multiple localities. To ensure equitable distribution, KWA has been regulating supply in many areas through valve operations.Although the Kazhakkoottam-Technopark corridor has seen rapid urban expansion, infrastructure development has not kept pace with demand. KWA has begun replacing ageing pipelines with ductile iron (DI) pipes on several stretches. However, officials said the work remains incomplete in many locations, with only partial replacement carried out so far. The replacement project is expected to improve distribution efficiency and enable the supply of an additional 10-15 million litres daily. Officials said sustained urban growth will require further augmentation of the distribution network, along with additional infrastructure and new water sources in the coming years.
