The extent of sea water intrusion in the aquifer zone and the overexploitation of groundwater in Puducherry have set alarm bells ringing among authorities concerned, prompting action on a plan to make use of treated surface water from Ossudu Lake.
Marking a shift from the sole dependence on groundwater, S. Manohar, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, elaborated on the plan which would cover around 20 per cent of the current requirements of the Puducherry region. Mr. Manohar was addressing participants at the ‘Water Management for Sustainable Water Development’ workshop organised by the Puducherry Water Resources Organisation (PWRO) on Tuesday.
The project at an estimated Rs.48 crore is expected to be completed in two years and can supply 20 million litres a day, he said. The project would consist of a treatment plant at Muthirapalayam (around Rs. 25 crore) and make use of existing pipeline of the Muthirapalayam water supply system, and be funded through NABARD. With this project, groundwater can be conserved for the future, he said.
“The water table in Puducherry which was under artesian condition prior to 1980s has started declining steadily. Sea water intrusion has also been noticed up to 6 km inland in Puducherry region due to overextraction of ground water,” said T.M. Balakrishnan, Commissioner cum Secretary (Works) at the inaugural programme of the workshop.
Mr. Manohar said that current consumption of water in Puducherry is set at 135 litres per capita per day which is much higher than many places in India. “I make a plea to citizens to adopt a sustainable water policy through self-discipline,” he said.
