Trial Run: Enzymes to act on dirty canal

KOCHI: In an attempt to clean the clogged canals in Kochi, the Corporation has initiated  a canal cleaning project using enzymes, on a trial basis for 22 days.The trial cleaning conducted on the Market Canal was inaugurated by Mayor Tony Chammany at the Ernakulam Market on Thursday. The project, which falls under the ‘Sanctify Cochin’ initiative of the Corporation is funded by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Young Indians (Yi) Kochi branch and the enzyme technology is provided by the London-based Caringfornature.com.For the trial, a 75 square meter section of the Market Canal has been marked off as ‘controlled area’ in which the experiment will be conducted. The process involves stirring up the bottom of the canal using defuser machines, aerating it to promote the growth of microbes which helps in decomposition and then adding the enzyme and leaving it for 20 days for the completion of the process. “The enzymes are natural concentrates of minerals and nutrient-rich plant extracts produced through a carefully controlled fermentation process. These enzymes will help to speed up the process of decomposition and consequently result in clean water,” said Steve John, company director, Caringfornature.com.Mayor Tony Chammany announced that if the experiment turns out to be successful then the Corporation will implement the project in all the canals in Kochi with the help of the State government. “We will also take steps to protect our canals like constructing fences on both sides. But like any other project, we need immense support from the public to make this effort a success,” Chammany said.