Claim of over 50% as non-revenue water dubious: stakeholders

By 2050, the water demand in areas coming under the Kochi Corporation, five nearby municipalities, and 13 panchayats will be 600 MLD, including 300 MLD for the Kochi Corporation areas alone, according to official sources. The deficit will be 190 MLD, and hence, the concept of a new plant, they said.

According to the Asian Development Bank’s estimate, the non-revenue water in Kochi is 51%, including water consumed from public taps. This alone is estimated at around 12% of the water usage. Hence, the actual non-revenue water quantity will be around 39%, the sources said.

Maintaining that the claim of over 50% as non-revenue water is dubious, Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) president Mohammed Shiyas said the assets of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) worth over ₹3,000 crore would be handed over to other entities if the ADB-funded project was implemented in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode.

This is apart from ₹1,000 crore per year by way of maintenance expenses, even without any fresh investment. In this situation, the government must take steps to implement the 190-MLD project that was sanctioned when Oommen Chandy was Chief Minister, he said.

Steps must also be taken to source an estimated 49 MLD of water for KINFRA Park from the Kadambrayar and not from the Periyar. Apart from the handing over of public infrastructure to others, there is also the fear that water tariffs would subsequently be increased, Mr. Shiyas added.

“We are against the pre-conditions and not against the ADB loan per se,” said P. Unnikrishnan, general secretary, KWA Employees Union (CITU). Employee unions have made it clear that the KWA is short of funds and that the government would have to repay the loan. Moreover, the existing tariff concessions to weaker sections of society must be continued, they said.

Mr. Unnikrishnan also termed as inflated the claims about non-revenue water hovering at over 50%.

“The detailed project report also refers to quality issues regarding water supplied by the KWA, and it is far from the truth. Employees would be forced to embark on an agitation if our demands are not met,” he added.