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Tapping sources for city’s uninterrupted water supply
After a weak monsoon, the lakes that supply water to Chennai are at only 11% of their capacity. To ensure that the city does not face a water shortage, the CMWSSB has found alternative sources of water.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Facing an imminent water shortage post March, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is ready with a list of resources it wants to tap into to ensure that the city receives an uninterrupted supply of water till the monsoon returns.
The city needs 650 million litres of water every alternate day which is supplied majorly from four major lakes – Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam. The lakes together, however, have a stock of only 11.30 per cent against their total storage capacity as on January 10. During the same time last year, the lakes were filled at 43.50 per cent of their capacity.
When contacted, a CMWSSB official said that the available amount of water would be sufficient to fulfil the city’s needs for little more than a month. “Apart from the four major lakes, we have been drawing 180 MLD (million litres per day) water from Veeranam lake and 200 MLD from desalination plants in Nemmeli and Minjur. Hence, we expect our water stock to last more than two months. Of the 650 MLD supplied to Chennai, more than half is drawn from Veeranam lake and the desalination plants,” the official said.
200 MLD to come from wells
The CMWSSB has also floated tenders to draw water from agricultural wells in Tiruvallur district and bore wells near Neyveli. “The tenders were floated recently, and this will help us in case of deficiency. In 2017, we had drawn water from agriculture wells in Tiruvallur district and the pipelines laid that time can be utilised this year as well,” an official said.
According to tender floated on January 9, water from 10 agricultural wells would be drawn for two months. Meanwhile, another tender was floated to draw water from borewells near Paravanur River in Neyveli basin. “Agricultural wells in Tiruvallur district will provide 120 MLD and borewells in Neyveli basin will supply 80 MLD for two months,” the official added.
Krishna water not likely till March
While the water managers of Chennai are counting on Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir, the water resource department (WRD) official said that they are unlikely to get water from the neighbouring state till March. “As per the Telugu Ganga agreement, Andhra Pradesh is supposed to provide 12 TMC of water every year. But, they have released only 1.6 TMC during the year 2018-2019,” the official added.
In a recent meeting, the Andhra Pradesh government officials had agreed to release 2 TMC water from Kandaleru reservoir as the dam is almost full. “As the farmers along the Telugu Ganga Canal in Andhra Pradesh have cultivated paddy, they need more water.
Due to the chances of pilferage, the Andhra Pradesh officials opted to wait till March. Once the farmers complete harvest, Andhra Pradesh will release the water,” the official said.
The official, however, hinted that Cauvery water from Mettur Dam would soon be released to Veeranam lake. He also said that water cuts too are unlikely this year.
Recollecting the drought the region faced in 2017, the CMWSSB official added that the situation this year is not expected to be that serious. In 2017, the Metrowater officials drew water from Porur lake which was used for only agricultural purpose until then.
Water from abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram and agriculture wells in Tiruvallur districts also drawn to supply drinking water to the city. The officials also said that they were expecting more Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh.
Residents sceptical about uninterrupted water supply
Residents, however, are sceptical about the board’s ability to ensure uninterrupted water supply with the current availability of water. “I have dug another borewell in my apartment to get us through the summer months,” said S Suresh Kumar, a resident of Choolaimedu.
Meanwhile, the CMWSSB is yet to provide water connections to the southern part of the city along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (Perungudi, Sholinganallur) owing to the lack of infrastructure. “The residents along the OMR region buy water from tankers that draw water from Kancheepuram district. If the infrastructure work is completed this year, we will need more than 650 MLD to meet the city’s needs,” the official said.
A resident of a gated community from the OMR area said, “We are at the mercy of private tankers. When they conducted a protest in October, we were left in a lurch.” During the strike, more than 4,000 tankers remained off road affecting the functioning of hotels and commercial establishments who depend on the private supply.
Also, even though CMWSSB officials assured that water cuts would not be imposed on the city this year, it had reduced the regular supply of water from 830 MLD to 650 MLD a few years ago.
Present water sources
- Desalination plant in Minjur 100 MLD
- Desalination plant in Nemmeli 100 MLD
- Supply from Veeranam lake 180 MLD
- Supply from city lakes 270 MLD
Proposed water sources
- Agricultural wells in Tiruvallur district 120 MLD
- Borewells in Neyveli basin 80 MLD
Upcoming projects
- Desalination plant at Nemmeli 150 MLD
- Desalination plant at Perur 400 MLD
Planning ahead
City needs 650 MLD of water every alternate day
- Current sources of water = Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam lakes + Veeranam lake + desalination plants in Nemmeli and Minjur
- The waters of Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarambakkam lakes are expected to last for over a month
- Once it runs dry, water will be supplied from 180 MLD from Veeranam lake + 200 MLD desalination plants in Nemmeli and Minjur + 200 MLD to come from wells
- Rest 70 MLD to come from quarries and wells and from river Krishna
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