KMML desalination plant to stop groundwater depletion

Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), a state company located at Chavara in Kollam, India, will set up a Rs 500-million desalination plant to augment water supply for its operations and for public consumption.

“It will stop the depletion of the groundwater resources,” according to Mr. K.P. Rajendran, the managing director of KMML. The PSU (public sector undertaking) uses a large quantity of water for its daily operations, and a recent survey revealed that groundwater would be totally exhausted within a few years. So the company decided to develop an alternative water source to sustain operations of the plants and the public water supply scheme. The Vattakayal/TS Canal, which is perennial and available throughout the year could be drawn for the purpose.

The company is expected to approve a new water supply scheme of Rs 4.6 million that includes two over-head water tanks of 75,000-litres capacity each and an additional pipeline network of 20 km. KMML started its potable water supply scheme to the surrounding public about a decade ago; only now it has been extended to the adjoining wards of Panmana and Chavara Panchayats through a 50-km pipeline network. The entire costs of water purification and pipeline maintenance are borne by the company.