Metro Water officials await Northeast monsoon to keep supply woes in check

Earlier, the residents have complained that Metro Water tankers, which supplied water daily, have reduced the frequency to two or three days. Now, those residents who have Metro Water connections are also complaining that water supply has become erratic. M Rajendran, a resident of Old Washermenpet said, “The water tanks in our area used to be filled every day, now we have to wait for two or three days to get drinking water. The officials must take up measures to ensure consistent supply of water to all types of connections.” 

Metro Water officials however said that there is no letup in the supply to the city residents. An official said “As of now there is no issue of drinking water shortage in the city, we hope that the Northeast monsoon will help us to ensure uninterrupted supply for the residents this year.” He added “If need be, we can pump water from the couple of lakes, where the storage level has been considerably better.” 

Another CMWSSB engineer said that lake like Cholavaram and Red Hills which had been dry last year by this time have considerable quantity of water at present. “Since Krishna water has reached Poondi reservoir, it will help mitigate the drinking water scarcity that may arise, to some extent,” he added. However, he stressed “Rain from Northeast monsoon is of paramount importance to ensure uninterrupted water supply.”

However, city-based activists want the Metro Water officials to be more efficient in preserving the water bodies around the city to act as a buffer during times of crisis. “Whenever lakes are filled up, we never bother about water management. But when the supply starts dwindling we start searching everywhere to pump water instead of utilising the existing facilities to their fullest capacity,” said Arun Krishnamurthy of EFI. He suggested that the Porur Lake can be utilised for drinking water purposes after executing the required maintenance works. 

Recently, Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development SP Velumani had conducted a review meeting on supplying safe and uninterrupted drinking water by the Board.