Next, Tambaram quarries to meet city’s water needs

Sources said that officials from CMWSSB had so far tackled water crisis by using ground water sources and stone quarries. However, as there is no rain, water level is gradually coming down and officials gradually started facing crises. They are made to run from pillar to post for locating more quarries. They have found some quarries in Eramaiyur near Tambaram-Mudichur road and water samples have been sent for laboratory test.

“Water in the quarries is found fit for human consumption and we hope that we can tide over the crisis for next two months. It is also a fact that since ground water is depleting in Tiruvallur district, we are planning to identify borewells near Palar,” said an official, adding that works to lay pipes in the newly identified quarries would soon start.

“At present, water in Chembarambakkam is helping to meet the demand in most parts of the city and the lake is receiving a sizeable inflow, as there was a rainfall a few days ago,” he said.

When contacted, a senior engineer said, “We are aware of the demand and supply in the city. Even when water level has gone down in one source, we go for other options to tap water. Moreover, we keep our finger crossed about water supply from Veeranam lake, as inflow of water to Mettur dam is fast on the rise.”

Meanwhile, city residents continue to suffer in silence, as they still face water scarcity and people are seen striding with pots in many areas. “The water crisis has gone from bad to worse in the recent past. Unlike in sthe past, when we used to get water from lorries at least once a week, now we are forced to go to other areas for fetching a pot of water,” said M Balamurugan, a resident of Royapuram.