Water Poverty in Kerala - A Study by Green Method Engineering (GME)

GME is an approved 'A Class' consultant of Kerala State Pollution Control Board. Green Method Engineering (GME) as the name suggests is a product of coming together of some like-minded professionals who share a concern for the ecosystem. As the promoters had the background of working in the water industry, working for the environment as a whole was only a natural transition. Though GME is a profit oriented venture, but through its deeds, it definitely wants to contribute to sustain the ecosystem. GME is the leading wastewater treatment plant manufacturers, contractors and water management company from Kerala serving clients outside and across India. 

Kerala, flanked on the west by the Arabian Sea and on the east by the Western Ghats is bestowed with enviable natural resources. It has 44 rivers spanning its lush green landscape and rainfall that averages as high as 3000 mm in a year. As one of the most densely populated states in the country, it has high indicators of health and social development. The state’s model for development has been hailed as an important indicator for other states to follow. However, recent evidence shows that high population density, industrialization, urbanization, mismanagement of water resources and vagaries of climate change have taken their toll on the water resources in the state. 

A study on water use and resources conducted by the Centre of Excellence in Environmental Economics (CEEE) of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) predicts that a severe water scarcity is to affect the State by 2021. The study has projected a gap of 1,268 Mm3 (1,268 billion litres) between supply and demand for 2021 on the basis of current level of rainfall, storage and available groundwater. Current signals of climate changes, land-use changes and demographic pressures point to a wider supply-demand gap, warns the study. 

According to the study, the projected demand by 2021 is 48,600 Mm3 whereas the available resources can provide only 47,332 Mm3 of water. Most water sources are contaminated by sewage. The demand includes 28,900 Mm3 (59 per cent) water for irrigation, 12,200 Mm3 (26 per cent) for salinity control and reclamation and 7,500 Mm3 (15.4 per cent) for domestic and industrial uses. 

The utilizable water quantity includes the expected 42,700 Mm3 rainfall and a projected groundwater availability of 4,632 Mm3. The groundwater status is alarming with Kerala in the third position among States. Well water levels have fallen by 71.48 per cent in the past decade, says the study. 

Based on the relative vulnerability index - Thrissur, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Kannur were categorized as highly vulnerable districts. Idukki and Wayanad districts were in the relatively safer group and Kottayam, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta and Kasaragod are in the medium vulnerability status. Thrissur district is most vulnerable to water stress with an index of 199.55 while Ernakulam comes second with an index of 152.58. Malappuram district with an index value of 108.52 is in the third position, but it has considerably improved its position since 2001.

About Green Method Engineering (GME)

Green Method Engineering (GME) is a wastewater treatment plants manufacturing company in Kerala, India. GME has been offering a complete range of water and wastewater solutions utilizing innovative and latest equipment and technologies across a wide spectrum of applications. Through our determined efforts, we have secured recognition from several industrial sectors. As tightening water quality regulations are challenging the limit of conventional treatment systems, we provide cost-effective systems and services so as to help optimize operational efficiencies and lower life-cycle costs.