Amma Water Plants run short of water

On Friday evening, when DT Next visited an Amma Water plant in Choolaimedu, the plant was open, but wore a deserted look. “The Amma Water plant open twice a day and function from 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Today, there is no water in the plant as the tanker lorry supplying it did not come,” caretaker of the plant said.

Following an announcement in the council, the Chennai Corporation had inaugurated Amma Water plants and now, there are 50 such plants functioning in the city. Residents have been provided with smart cards based on their family cards, which should be produced during filling water in bubble top cans. Only 20 litres of water would be provided for each smart card owner per day.

At another plant in Kodambakkam, two school children came with bubble top water cans to fetch water only in vain as there was no caretaker on Friday evening. “We do not have a smart card. The caretaker would help us to fill water using his own card,” they said.Another resident residing opposite the Amma Water plant said t water is only available during the morning hours. Many residents utilize the facility every day,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senior Corporation official said that Metro water supplies water to all the 50 Amma Water plants by tanker lorries. “Every day, 48 to 49 water plants function normally while one or two plants may malfunction due to power outage and other reasons. We will look into the matter,” he said.

Outside, shops selling bubble top water, the cans are priced between Rs 30 to Rs 45 depending on the locality.

On the other hand, the civic body has planned to set up two Water ATMs in each of the 200 wards in the Chennai Corporation from which residents can collect water at a nominal price. “We will ensure that residents get access to treated water at a minimal price,” the official added.