KWA to install flow-meters to spot leaks, reduce water loss

Thiruvananthapuram: To address the massive wastage of water due to pipeline leaks, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is set to install flow-meters at several spots across the district. This initiative aims to identify the locations and nature of leaks without digging roads and to develop suitable remedial measures.The flow-meters will be installed at manholes to check the force of water flow at the delivery and supply points. By assessing the difference in the flow at both these points, KWA will be able to find leaky spots.Based on the analysis, KWA will develop a plan to reduce the leakage. The five KWA water treatment plants produce a total of 400 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water, but according to official data, only 200 MLD is billed. The rest is lost mostly through leakages, although there could be other reasons as well. Water supplied through public taps is not billed, and faulty meters can also contribute to the issue, said a KWA official.The authority has already begun a survey to identify the spots where the flow-meters can be installed. The plan is to install over 200 such metres across the city."Of the total production of 400 MLD, only 200 MLD is billed, and the rest is lost through leakage. Suppose we consider 50 MLD is supplied through public taps, the remaining 150 MLD is considered an absolute loss, mostly through leakages. Faulty meters could also play a role. Faulty meters calibrate only a lesser quantity of water than what is actually consumed. In 2022, we identified as many as 18,000 faulty meters in the district and replaced them by charging money from the consumers. Now the chance of having faulty readings is scant, and it indicates that water loss primarily occurs through leakage in the system," said an official.According to the figures shared by the KWA, pipe leakages occurred in the district more than 30,000 times in the past four years.The highest number of leaks occurred in the Attingal section, with water supply disrupted 6,635 times in various parts under the section. Nedumangad reported 4,980 leaks, Karamana (2,298), Varkala (2,187), Palayam (2,123), Pattoor (1,799), Kuriyathy (1,711), Neyyar (1,496), Pongumoodu (1,342), Parassala (1,254), Peroorkada (1,187), Kazhakkoottam (1,176), Kowdiar (923), Palode (536), Aruvikkara (69), Sasthamangalam (18), and others."Most of the pipes that supply drinking water are very old and damaged. Replacing them is the only solution, and by installing flow-meters, we will prioritise the pipelines that require immediate replacement. We have already requested govt sanction to replace 15 km of the Peroorkada-Manvila main pipeline, and in a phased manner, all of them will be replaced," said an officer.
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