KWA to re-tender 5 MLD STP as no bidder qualifies; Work begins on 27-km sewage pipeline in Kochi

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) will award the work order for its 17-km sewerage pipeline network by the end of September. It will once again float the tender for its 5 MLD sewage treatment plant after none of the bidders qualified in the bidding process. Meanwhile, work on the 27-km sewage pipeline, which is part of the sewerage project, has begun in the city.According to sources in the KWA, the bid for the 5 MLD plant will be reopened by the end of this month. This will be the third time the water utility will be reopening its tendering process for the 5 MLD plant.The sewerage treatment project includes three components — an STP and two sewage pipeline networks of 27 km and 17 km. It caters for Girinagar and portions of Kadavanthra and Panampilly Nagar in Kochi.Work on the 27-km sewage pipeline has already started, the sources said. The approval process for the design of components submitted by the contractor for the network is in progress. Meanwhile, tendering for the 17-km sewage pipeline has opened, and the work order will be issued by the end of the month.The construction of the sewage collection well, which is part of the network, is expected to begin soon. “The collection well collects sewage, and it will be pumped to the STP using an intermediate smaller-diameter well, which is a lifting station. The lifting station receives the sewage through the pipeline network and transfers the sewage through a pumping system to the larger collection well. From here, it will be carried to the STP. The sewage carried by the 27-km and 17-km sewage networks will culminate at the STP,” the sources said.The project has been designed for a 30-year period, taking into account the expected sewage load up to 2056. Nearly 1,400 manholes, one lifting station, and one collection well are part of the project. The collection well will be located on KWA land at Cheruparambath. The project is estimated to cost ₹185 crore and is expected to be completed within two years.Antony Painuthara, councillor, Panampilly Nagar, said a portion of the division has been facing issues with the management of sewage waste. “The houses here were built some 40 years ago. By linking the sewage generated from households to the new sewerage network, it aids in the proper treatment of sewage,” said Mr. Painuthara. Over 300 to 400 houses in the division are expected to benefit from this, he said. Published - September 15, 2026 09:57 pm IST