Metro Water pins hopes on Nanmangalam quarry

In view of the water crisis looming large over the city, officials were leaving no waterbody untapped in areas in and around Chennai. “The lab test at Kings Institute has shown that water from Thiruneermalai quarries is not potable, as it is heavily contaminated. However, the institute is yet to give its reports about the sample taken from Nanmangalam quarries,” said an official of the CMWSSB. The officials have also decided to check out on all quarries in the suburbs, if there was a need in the coming days, the official added. 

The metro water has been busy searching water-bodies, as the crisis is intensifying with every passing day. During the exercise, the Porur lake proved to be a viable option. However, it will be an uphill task for the board manage the situation with Porur lake alone. Tiding over The crisis will be an unprecedented exercise unless there are rains during this summer, according to water managers. 

“We have started initiating preliminary works in setting up temporary treatment plant at Porur lake, as it has already been decided to draw water from it, which is potable. We will start drawing water in the next couple of week,” said another senior engineer. 

The suspension of Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir, which has come as a big blow to the metor water, has resulted in the decline in storage at the Poondi reservoir. “At present, the Poondi and Red Hills lakes have around 1.5 tmc and it is sufficient to meet the city’s demand for the next one month. We are also receiving water from borewells in Tiruvallur district,” the engineer said. Experts in the city, however, predicted that city would witness huge drinking water crisis.

Dr Sekhar Raghavan, Director of Rain Centre, says, “It is going to be unprecedented crisis in the city this season and it should serve as a lesson to the officials, who failed to initiate proactive measures in advance. Further, people should also consider present crisis and try to conserve water.” Water crisis would usually reach its peak in April and May, but this year, the effect had begun from February itself, thanks to the failure of both monsoons, he added.