With a water crisis looming over the city, Chennai Metrowater has started transporting water from agricultural wells rented in Tiruvallur district to manage the shortfall in resources.
At present, nearly 15 million litres a day (mld) is being drawn from about 250 agricultural borewells near Poondi, Tamaraipakkam and Minjur. This volume will be stepped up gradually to 40 mld in a few weeks from the wells.
After nearly a decade, Metrowater has acted upon its contingency plans to purchase water from agricultural wells to sustain water supply. Some of the villages from where the groundwater is being sourced are Magaral, Pullarambakkam, Kilanoor and Siruvanoor Kandigai.
As Krishna water flow from Andhra Pradesh was suspended last month, the storage in the reservoirs has dwindled rapidly and remains at 16 per cent of its total capacity. Thus arises the need to supplement the city water supply.
While Chennai is being supplied with 590-600 mld on alternate days, some areas like T. Nagar and Royapettah often complain of erratic water supply.
Groundwater purchased from agricultural wells at a rate of Rs. 15-Rs. 18 per kilo litre is being transmitted through pipeline to Red Hills treatment plant from where it is supplied to the city. Metrowater has also started drawing 30 mld water from local sources in added areas.
Sources at Metrowater said the number of tanker trips, including those on payment, has been increased to 4,000 daily to meet the demand.
“The storage in the reservoirs will last till July-end. Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district and desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli will augment water supply,” said an official.
The water agency will soon start bringing 55 mld of water from borewells and mines in Neyveli to support the city’s water supply.
