Championing the Rejuvenation 

The Smart City has also initiated bids for a 24x7 water supply system across the area of the Corporation, with goals of incorporating smart metering, SCADA systems and leak detection systems. Construction of new water treatment plants is also being done as part of the mission. CSCL aims to further bridge the gap between wastewater generation and treatment by imbibing concepts like Wastewater Recycling in the Corporation. The Corporation also intends to procure a robotic weed remover to increase the frequency of hyacinth removal.  

With the city losing many of the ‘pearls on the plateau’ to development, a major role has been played by the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in reviving these lakes. The NGOs have championed the cause of water security and have made incredible strides in safeguarding the aquatic backbone of the city. They also work to keep a check on the works of the Corporation, guiding them to take correct steps in improving the water around. 

Siruthuli is one of the pioneering NGOs in the field of water resources management. The trust, established in 2003, is a coming together of some of the conscientious corporates in Coimbatore. Members of the organization make dedicated efforts towards the restoration of Noyyal River. Their first project was the desilting of Krishnampathy Lake, which had over 50 acres of area taken over by illegal encroachments. They have desilted and cleaned 7 lakes since, leading to an increase in storage levels, and subsequently, the groundwater levels. Siruthuli has also implemented several Rainwater Harvesting projects across the district to aid farmers by recharging groundwater. The organization also strives towards public involvement and regularly works with schools to inculcate values of environmental protection in children. One of their most notable achievements is the Noyyal Yatra- an awareness walk on the glory of the river, with over one lakh participants. 

Kovai Kulangal Pathugappu Amaippu (KKPA), true to its name, has endeavoured to clean and protect the lakes, ponds and canals in Coimbatore district, since 2017. Hundreds of volunteers, including students and professionals, gather every weekend to clean the water bodies. They also undertake extensive awareness campaigns to attract people towards the cause of protecting their lakes. KKPA, which started with 10 volunteers, now has over five thousand volunteers and supporters. The organization’s efforts also include revamping 19.5 km of water canal, which has augmented the filling up of the lakes. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) has collaborated with Kovai Kulangal Pathugappu Amaippu to monitor water quality in Noyyal’s lakes, as a part of the Noyyal-Bhavani basin conservation programme. KKPA has been authorized to periodically check pH, Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids in these wetlands.

Other organizations that work to protect the water of Coimbatore include Osai, DHI Green Foundation, Neer Nilangal Pathugappu Amaippu (partners with WWF-India in monitoring project), Jeevanadhi Noyyal, Kousika Neerkarangal, Environmentalist Foundation of India and many more.