Sun Sep 14 14:18:47 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Residents of Samikalam in Chittoor, Kerala, India, have been facing a severe drinking water shortage for over a month, affecting around 40 houses. The problem began after the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) conducted annual maintenance in early August. Residents are relying on tanker lorries for water. A local official claims only a few houses are affected, while a KWA official attributes the issue to increased demand, low water pressure at the tail end of the supply network, and air blockage in the pipeline. KWA officers plan to revisit the area to resolve the issue.
**News Article:**
**Chittoor Residents Face Acute Water Scarcity, KWA Investigates**
**KOCHI, September 14, 2025** – Approximately 40 households in the Samikalam neighborhood of Chittoor, Kerala, are grappling with a critical shortage of drinking water. Residents report that the crisis has persisted for over a month, since the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) completed its annual maintenance shutdown on August 7th.
“We had a few days of normal service after the maintenance, then the supply just dried up,” said Saju Thomas, a local resident. “We’ve been depending on tanker lorries from the panchayat ever since.”
Tiju Antony, another resident, echoed these concerns. Local ward member Sasi V.K. contends that the problem affects only a smaller number of houses.
KWA officials visited the area on Friday, September 12th, and are scheduled to return on Monday, September 15th, to further investigate the cause and implement solutions.
A KWA representative acknowledged the growing gap between water supply and demand in the region, citing a population increase without a corresponding increase in water supply. “A permanent solution would be a new drinking water treatment plant,” the official stated. “Samikalam is at the end of the supply network, which means lower water pressure. We are also investigating potential air blockage.”
The official added that air blockage in the pipeline, a common cause of water disruption, may be responsible. “Once the trapped air is cleared, water will flow freely,” the official assured. A similar issue in ward number 12 of Chittoor was recently resolved, offering hope for a quick resolution to the current crisis. The KWA aims to identify and address the underlying issues to restore a reliable water supply to the affected residents.
First Piper 