GIS mapping may clear doubts over number of functional public taps in Kochi

Kochi Corporation and KWA use GIS mapping to finalize number of public taps, resolving long-standing dispute and arrears issue.

The number of functional public taps in Kochi, a bone of contention between the Kochi Corporation and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), is likely to be finalised soon, thanks to an app-driven Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of public taps across the State held earlier this year.

The KWA and the Local Self-Government department (LSGD) conducted the week-long GIS mapping in March after many local bodies complained about disparity in the number of functional public taps. The final report separating functional and dysfunctional public taps prepared by the KWA is expected shortly.

According to the KWA, the initial mapping found no disparity in the total number of public taps within the Kochi Corporation limits from the figure reached during a Kochi city-specific GIS mapping held in 2021. “Nearly 5,200 public taps were found in that mapping conducted jointly with the Corporation, which had contested the number of taps and the functional ones among them. The latest mapping also threw up the same number, though the separation of functional and dysfunctional ones among them would be known only in the final report,” said KWA sources.

Mayor M. Anilkumar said it was at his insistence that the Kochi-specific mapping was held, which helped in finding out that the number of public taps had come down to around 5,000 from a high of nearly 15,000 in 2021. “I firmly believe that the number would have dropped even further since then,” he said.

Meanwhile, the LSGD has cleared the Kochi Corporation’s arrears to the KWA for public taps dating back nearly two decades. Around ₹153 crore had been paid to clear arrears up to March 2025. As per revised rates, the KWA charges ₹21,838 per tap in the Corporation and municipal areas annually, and ₹14,559 in panchayats.

Mr. Anilkumar said this was the outcome of his discussions with the KWA Managing Director. “We had written to the KWA asking to waive the interest and penal interest on arrears and end the practice of deducting a significant amount on account of public taps from our annual plan funds. We also insisted that the reduced public hydrants be reflected in the billing,” he said.