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New desalination plants commissioned to end water woes
The Chennai MetroWater Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) is already drawing drinking water from desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli this summer. Though the plants have a combined capacity of 200 MLD, officials said their actual production is only between 70 to 80 per cent.
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migrator
migrator
Chennai
The Chennai MetroWater Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) is already drawing drinking water from desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli this summer. Though the plants have a combined capacity of 200 MLD, officials said their actual production is only between 70 to 80 per cent.
Apart from the two plants, CMWSSB has prepared a detailed project report for two more desalination plants in Nemmeli and Perur with a production capacity of 150 MLD and 400 MLD respectively.
After the commissioning of these new plants, water scarcity could be managed in a more effective manner, said Metrowater officials.
The present 550 MLD water supply includes 30 MLD from abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram. The CMWSSB also has taken up works to tap 10 MLD from Erumaiyur quarries and 30 MLD from Rettai Eri, Perumbakkam and Ayanambakam lakes.
Meanwhile, a CMWSSB press release said that the number of water tanker lorries would be increased to 900 from 750. “With the available resources, we will manage uninterrupted water supply till monsoon,” a Metrowater official said.
On the other hand, the residents of the city have started to feel the pinch as many parts of the city do not receive enough water for their daily needs.
City water supply cut to 500 MLD from June
In a desperate move to keep water supply running with the available resource, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has decided to cut it to 500 MLD (Million Litres per Day) from the present supply of 550 MLD.
According to a CMWSSB higher official, water level in Sholavaram and Chembarambakkam lakes have reached dead storage and water in Poondi and Puzhal would only last for 15 days. “After the two lakes dried up, around 120 MLD of water will be drawn from agriculture wells around Poondi and Thamaraipakkam areas in order to continue supply,” the official said.
Till December 2016, the Board had been supplying 830 MLD. But due to poor monsoon for three consecutive years, the water supply was cut to 550 MLD. The official added that due to the shortage in water availability, Metrowater would further cut the water storage to 500 MLD from June till November. However, the water manager expressed optimism that Veeranam lake has reached its full capacity as the government released water from Mettur Dam.
“Chennai is receiving 180 MLD water from Veeranam lake and works are under way to dig nine borewells in Neyveli basin. This will provide 10 MLD to the city. Around 60 MLD will come from mines in Neyveli and Paravanar River,” he said.
PROPOSED WATER SOURCES
New borewells in Neyveli basin – 10 MLD
Neyveli mines and Paravanur River – 30 MLD
Agriculture wells in Poondi, Thamaraipakkam – 120 MLD
Erumaiyur quarries – 10
MLD Rettai Lake, Perumbakkam Lake, Ayanambakkam – 30 MLD
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