Metrowater starts pipe laying works at three lakes to tap water

The works, taken up at a cost of Rs 53 crore, also include constructing water treatment plants at the lakes. As per the estimation by CMWSSB, the three lakes would provide 10 million litres of water per day each till the onset of northeast monsoon.

The officials had tested the quality of water at 13 lakes in and around Chennai. The result suggested that the water from Retteri, Perumbakkam and Ayanambakkam lakes could be treated and supplied for drinking.

“Water available in abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram area would only last up to June. So, we have instructed the contractors to complete the works before August. Water from these three lakes will augment supply obtained from Veeranam lake and desalination plants. Presently, 30 million litres per day,” a source said.

Meanwhile, the CMWSSB had already commenced pipe laying works in Erumaiyur to tap water from abandoned quarries there. Erumaiyur quarries would contribute 10 million litres per day to the supply.

The development has come after the Metrowater predicted the water available in Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam lakes that supply drinking water to the city would go dry in this month.

According to Metrowater data, the four lakes had a combined storage of just 151 mcft as against their total capacity of 11,257 mfct, which is the lowest storage in two decades.

Metrowater had already stopped taking water from Cholavaram and Chembarambakkam lakes as the lake levels dipped to four mcft and one Mcft respectively. The other two lakes also reached dead storage level, forcing officials to use motor pumps to draw water.