Kochi Water’ project: 20l for Rs 20

KOCHI: Palarivattom resident Mohanan and his family stopped using the Corporation water after his six-year-old daughter had a narrow escape from typhoid last year. Since the doctor insisted on avoiding the use of  Corporation water, they had to switch to the 20-litre water container manufactured by mineral water companies. This would cost him an average of Rs 4,000 every month.

This isn’t an isolated case. Many like Mohanan are depending on mineral water companies for potable water, spending an exorbitant amount every month.  

It is in this context that the Kochi Corporation’s ‘Kochi Water’ project gains attention. The project, wherein the civic body would sell 20-litre purified water for just Rs 20, has still not reached the beneficiaries. Most people are unaware of the project, started in association with the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), thanks to the civic body’s laxity in promoting awareness.

Water plants

The Corporation has set up plants by investing Rs 25 lakh each in areas such as Edappally, Pandikkudi and Ravipuram, wherein  40,000 litres of mineral water is packaged each day. However, even two years after launching the project, the Kochi Corporation and the self-help group Kudumbasree, who has been entrusted with the task of distribution, have failed to promote the product.

Purified water is produced at a cost of Rs 10 per jar and is being distributed by women self-help groups for Rs 20. This is when other companies charge a minimum of Rs 50 for the same.

“Twenty-litre water jar available for Rs 20? I am really unaware of such a product being manufactured by the Corporation. Every month we spend around Rs 5,000 for purified water. Why is the Corporation hiding such a great project,” said Gangadharan, a retired government official.

“The inauguration of the project was in the newspaper but after that, we don’t have any information in this regard. Later we came to know that only ‘privileged’ people can enjoy the service. It would have helped a lot if it was  made available to everyone in the city,” said Bijo Thomas, a resident.

Corporation opposition leader K J Antony alleged that  Corporation’s lackadaisical attitude is to help the mineral water mafia.  “Despite the project getting tremendous reception from the public, the Kochi Corporation is doing nothing to promote it. Only a selected few enjoy its benefits. This needs to be sorted out. If the project is implemented for the public, it should reach them. This needs to be discussed at the council. The Mayor and the officials should present the details of beneficiaries and the profit gained out of it,” alleged KJ Antony.

V P Chandran, opposition councillor, also alleged that the Corporation has left the project to rot. “ The plant which was set up investing Rs 25 lakh is yet to start functioning. We doubt a big financial fraud in this,” he added.

Blame game

Health Standing Committee chairperson V K Minimol blames  KSWDC for the situation. “The KSWDC is doing nothing to promote and distribute Kochi Water among the residents. They are distributing it only to a few select people. The project will achieve nothing if the public does not benefit from it,” Minimol said.

However, the KSWDC passes the buck to the Corporation saying they are just an implementing agency.
“As per the agreement, the Corporation is responsible for its promotions. Our job is to set up the plant using the fund of the local body. Though it’s a big profit-making business, they are not taking an effort to bring the project to the mass. Even we are facing difficulties to set up such projects owing to the lackadaisical attitude of the Corporation. There are some legal hurdles too. So, the board is yet to decide whether to continue as the facilitator or not,” said a KWDC officer on conditions of anonymity.
However, Mayor Soumini Jain denied all the allegation levelled against the Kochi Water.

“We do not favour any party with regard to the distribution of Kochi Water. At present, the Kudumbasree units are distributing it to some institutions. It is true that we haven’t come up with promotions but when other plants start functioning, the corporation will come up with big promotions. If Kudumbasree is diverting the water exclusively to anyone, we will look into it, “ said the Mayor.

What is ‘Kochi Water’ project?
The  Corporation’s ‘Kochi Water’ project aims to provide potable water at Re 1 per litre
The twenty-litre bottle will be available
for Rs 20. Most private companies charge Rs 50  for the same
The Kochi Corporation implemented the project in association with KSWDC
Edappally, Pandikkudy  and Ravipuram
are the three areas where the corporation has set up the plants
Women working groups are engaged in distributing it

Purification
Water drawn from a well is processed in six stages. Water goes through iron
removal filter, dual filter, carbon filter, micron filter, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet filter before being dispatched for delivery under the brand name ‘Kochi Water’.

Rs 25 lakh set aside for each plant
Around 2,000 litres of water can be processed per hour at a plant. This amounts to 2,400 twenty-litre jars of potable water per day.  
The Kochi Corporation has provided financial assistance and land to set up the plant. The Corporation has invested Rs 25 lakh in each plant.