Frequent water supply disruptions across Kochi, driven by power failures at pumping stations, are causing hardship for residents as water consumption rises in summer‑like conditions.
The most recent leak was detected on September 16 on S.R.M. Road. SUEZ Projects Private Limited, which manages the city’s drinking water distribution, plugged the leak in the pipeline serving Pachalam and Ayyappankkavu. Kerala Water Authority sources said the leak was in an old joint caused by intense pumping, but supply was not disrupted.
Similar pipe bursts have been reported in the past month. A 900‑mm pipeline from the Aluva treatment plant burst near Kalamassery, disrupting supply to parts of the city and Vypeen. On September 9, a 900‑mm line from Aluva to Perumanoor burst at Pipeline Junction, Thrikkakara, cutting supply to western Kochi, Thrikkakara, Kalamassery and Vypeen until it was restored three days later. A rupture on September 15 on Edappally Raghavan Pillai Road affected households in Perandoor, Elamakkara and Punnakkal.
The KWA blames SUEZ for the shortages, while SUEZ maintains its role is limited to pipeline operation and maintenance. P.C. Ajith Kumar of the Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations’ Apex Council said a stakeholder meeting will be held soon and that protests will be launched if problems remain unresolved. Pipe bursts are linked to ageing pipelines, pressure variations from power failures, heavy‑vehicle violations and indiscriminate digging. SUEZ is surveying the network and plans to introduce real‑time pressure monitoring and pipeline mapping to detect ruptures early.
