KWA re-tenders 5 MLD STP as no bidder qualifies; Work begins on a 27-km sewer pipeline in Kochi

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) will award the contract for its 17-km sewage network by the end of September. After none of the bidders qualified for the tender, it will re-tender for its 5 MLD sewage treatment plant. Meanwhile, work has begun in the city on a 27-km long sewage pipeline, which is part of the sewerage project.

According to KWA sources, the bidding for the 5 MLD plant will be reopened by the end of this month. This will be the third time that the water utility has reopened its tender for the 5 MLD plant.

The wastewater treatment project includes three components — a WWTP and two wastewater pipeline networks of 27 km and 17 km in length. It caters to Girinagar and parts of Kadavanthra and Panampilly Nagar in Kochi.

Work on the 27-km sewage pipeline has already started, sources said. An approval process is underway for the component design submitted by the network vendor. Meanwhile, the tender process for the 17 km sewage pipeline has been started and the work order will be issued by the end of the month.

The construction of the receiving well, which is part of the network, is expected to start soon. “The collection well collects sewage, which will be pumped to the WWTP using an intermediate well with a smaller diameter, which is a transfer station. The transfer station receives sewage through a pipe network and pumps it with a transfer system to a larger collection well. From there, it will be discharged to the WWTP. Sewage water leads 27 km and 17 km of the sewage network,” said the 27 km and 17-ti sewage networks.

The project is designed for 30 years, taking into account the expected sewage load until 2056. The project includes almost 1,400 shafts, one pumping station and one collection well. The sump well will be located on the KWA land at Cheruparambath. The project is estimated to cost ₹185 crore and is expected to be completed within two years.

Antony Painuthara, councilor of Panampilly Nagar, said that part of the division was facing sewage management problems. “The houses here were built about 40 years ago. By connecting the domestic waste water to the new sewerage network, it helps to treat the waste water properly,” Mr Painuthara said. More than 300 to 400 houses in the division are expected to benefit, he said.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 21:57 IST