Soon, a third desalination plant to quench Chennai’s thirst

The Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is already drawing water from two desalination plants in Nemmeli and Minjur. According to officials, they use 100 Million Litre Day (MLD) from each plant. Officials added that around 45 percent of Metro water supply would be covered, if the third plant was commissioned and the estimation of the plant was Rs 1,371.86 crore. The German funding agency (KfW) would provide monetary assistance, while the state and Union government would bear half the expenditure, the official added. 

Another senior engineer said that they had floated tender for the third desalination plant in Nemmeli, two weeks ago. “The third desalination plant in Nemmeli will supply 150 MLD. However, it will take around 30 months for the works to be completed,” the engineer said. He further added that if the third desalination plant was established, it will cover areas located in South Chennai. Meanwhile, activists have expressed concerns over increase in number of desalination plants. Professor, S Janakarajan, Water Management Expert, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) says “Due to desalination plants, marine ecology will be affected. While treating sea water, the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) would be high and when such waste is let into the sea, it will affect aquatic life,” he said. He stressed for proper water management during rains instead.

100 MLD 

100 MLD 

150 MLD (Tender floated) 

1,000 MLD 

830 MLD