Pipeline burst, power outages hit water supply in Kochi amid summer conditions

Workers repaired a damaged water pipe on SRM road in Kaloor on Thursday. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Frequent outages in water supply due to a number of factors, including recurring power outages at pumping stations, continue to cause hardship to the residents of Kochi, especially as water consumption rises in the prevailing summer conditions.

The latest incident was reported from the SRM road where a leak in the pipe network was detected on Wednesday (September 16, 2026). SUEZ Projects Private Limited., which currently manages the city’s drinking water distribution infrastructure, was involved in plugging a leak in a pipeline serving areas like Pachalam and Ayyappankkavu.

“It was a leak in the joints of the aged pipeline due to the intensity of pumping. However, the supply was not interrupted or curtailed,” Kerala Water Authority (KWA) sources said.

Several cases of pipe bursts have been reported in the city and neighboring municipalities over the past month. Earlier this month, a 900mm pipe carrying water from the Aluva treatment plant burst at Kalamassera, disrupting supplies to various parts of the city and Vypeen. The burst was caused by pressure fluctuations in the pump line caused by frequent power outages at the pump stations.

On September 9, supply to several parts of West Kochi, Thrikkakara, Kalamassery and Vypeen was affected after a 900mm pipeline carrying water from Aluva to Perumanoor burst at Pipeline Junction, Thrikkakara. Delivery was not resumed until three days later. Similar disruption affected households in Perandoor, Elamakkar and Punnakkal after a pipe burst on Edappally Raghavan Pillai Road in Perandoor, Elamakkal on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).

“Extreme water shortage has been affecting areas in Ayyappankkavu, Ernakulam North, TD Road, Kaloor–Kathrikadavu Road and Vennala for over a month now. KWA says the responsibility lies with SUEZ, which on the other hand insists that KWA remains responsible for pumping matters and that its role will be limited to operation and maintenance of pipelines if there are O&M issues. If we do not resolve, we will launch a protest,” said PC Ajith Kumar, General Ernakulam District Residents Association Supreme Council Secretary.

Pipe bursts and supply interruptions are often associated with aging pipelines that are unable to withstand pressure changes during pumping, as well as heavy vehicles breaching access restrictions to sections where underground pipelines are vulnerable. Indiscriminate digging by various agencies also contributes to the rift.

SUEZ is currently conducting a supply network survey. “This will be followed by a technology infusion such as real-time pressure monitoring and mapping of pipeline networks. These measures will help detect cracks without waiting for signs such as water leaking onto roads,” SUEZ sources said.

Published – 17 Sep 2026 19:15 IST