In a move that could offer respite to tail-end areas in Kochi facing water shortage, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is in the final stages of commissioning a new overhead tank at Kaloor. This is expected to provide interim relief from drinking water shortage faced by several areas in the city following the collapse of chamber-1 of the Thammanam water tank.

With the commissioning of the 40-lakh-litre capacity tank on Wednesday (January 28), it is expected that water supply will be streamlined, and that shortage of water at several tail-end regions in Kochi will be addressed. “Once the charging is done, water distribution will begin from Thursday (January 29) morning. We are expecting a perceptible and positive change in water supply to various parts of Kochi,” said KWA sources.

Water from the tank will be connected directly to the distribution network of the Thammanam tank, thereby addressing water shortage following the collapse of chamber-1 of 1.35-crore-litre water tank.

“The Kaloor tank is expected to serve a larger area. Moreover, Kaloor zone is one of the largest zones in Ernakulam, with a high concentration of consumers. The tank sits at a height of around 22 metres. The advantage of pumping water into an overhead tank is that the elevation will generate significant pressure in the distribution network, and thus help address water shortage,” said KWA sources.

Water from the Aluva treatment plant is first received at an underground storage sump set up under the Kaloor tank. It is then pumped to the overhead reservoir and then enters the distribution network.

Post the collapse of the sidewall of one of the chambers of the twin-chambered water storage tank in Thammanam, several tail-end regions of the city have been facing a water crisis.