Groundwater, final hope, depleting, warn officials

According to data released by Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), the comparative statement of average water level in 15 areas in and around Chennai city in March 2016 and March 2017 states that groundwater has steadily declined. 

The data also showed that the ground water level has taken a dip in the range of 0.70 metres to 2.88 metres below ground level. While Sholinganallur witnessed lowest fall in the water level in the range of 0.70 meters, it is 2.88 meters below ground level in Thiru-Vi- Ka-Nagar, the data stated. 

The CMWSSB is monitoring ground water level and quality (TDS) every month through a network of 145 observation wells spread across 426 sq.km. The subsoil condition varies as sand, clay and hard rock formations and therefore percolation rate also varies in these soil types in the city. 

Since the last north-east monsoon left the State high and dry, the overall deficit of monsoon across the state was (-) 61 per cent, while Chennai city witnessed (-) 23 per cent of deficit. 

Meanwhile, water managers fear that continuous fall in groundwater level would lead to severe water scarcity. Dr Sekhar Raghavan, director of Rain Centre, Chennai, told DTNext “This is a known thing, because, none of us, including the officials, did what should have been done.

The officials concerned failed to make Rain Water Harvesting System (RWHS) effective and even individual household do not have such a system.” He suggested that the only way forward to increase ground water level is RWHS. Meanwhile, the Chennai Metro Water Board has appealed to the the residents of the city to conserve water in all possible ways.