Japanese Drinking Water Scheme will be extended

KOZHENCHERRY: Water Resources Minister P J Joseph said that the coverage of Japanese Drinking Water Scheme would be extended to more districts in the state. Inaugurating the Kerala Water Authority Staff Association state-level leadership training camp at Charalkunnu near here on Monday, P J Joseph said that the Japanese Drinking Water Scheme was confined to a few districts at present such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha. The scheme would be implemented in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kottayam districts soon, the Minister said.
 As part of the programme, the scheme would be launched in Ernakulam immediately, he said.
Joseph said that the motors and pump sets, that has been in use for more than 10 years, will be replaced with new ones.
 The Minister assured that the drinking water supply would not be affected due to the snapping of electricity connection to the KWA pumping stations by the KSEB in the wake of power bill arrears.
 The Minister said that the coverage of KWA would be widened to rural areas from its existing urban base.  Joseph ruled out privatisation of the activities of the KWA.
Association state president Thamapanoor Ravi presided over the function. General secretary V Abdul Basheer welcomed the gathering.