Kochi to Unveil Ambitious Sewage Upgrade, Reviving Waterways by 2025

By October 2025, the city of Kochi is set to undergo a major transformation in its sewage treatment system. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has submitted a revised detailed project report to the government for the establishment of two new sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the city.

One STP will be set up at Elamkulam with a capacity of 55 MLD, while the other will be located in Muttar with a capacity of 50 MLD. Together, these two centralized STPs will have a combined capacity of 105 MLD, catering to regions in divisions 31 to 74. A new plant will be established in the future to serve divisions 1 to 30.

The comprehensive sewage treatment system will also involve the laying of sewage lines of different diameters, the construction of over 16,000 manholes, and the installation of collection wells and pumping stations. This overhaul of the city's sewage infrastructure is part of the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project, with the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) serving as the special purpose vehicle.

The current sewage system in Kochi is inadequate, with the capacity of the existing STP being only 5 MLD. This has led to the contamination of the city's canals and underground water table, as untreated sewage waste enters these water bodies. The new sewage treatment system is expected to address this issue and help restore the quality of Kochi's waterways.