With the city staring at the prospect of a weak northeast monsoon, Chennai Metrowater is gearing up to tap additional sources to manage an impending water crisis.
The monsoon this year is yet to bring sufficient rain to the city. With the storage in the four reservoirs dwindling rapidly, Metrowater is looking to add to its buffer. The agency has identified nearly 12 abandoned quarries in Erumaiyur near Thirumudivakkam, apart from the existing ones in Sikkarayapuram near Mangadu. The quarries are expected to supply about 40 million litres of water daily (mld).
Moreover, three lakes in Retteri, Ayanambakkam and Perumbakkam would also be used for drinking water supply.
It may be recalled that the water agency had earlier tested samples from these waterbodies to ascertain their potability.
Hiring agricultural wells in Poondi and Tamaraipakkam well fields is another short-term plan to address shortage. Metrowater officials said the wells would have the capacity to supply up to 100 mld. Tenders are in process to rent wells in areas such as Siruvanur, Movur, Melanur, Ramarajan Kandigai and Magaral near Metrowater-owned fields.
Fast depleting
Officials noted that the existing storage in city reservoirs, which stands at 14% of their capacity, would last two months and water drawn from the Veeranam tank could sustain the city for three more months. If supply from the tank is suspended, wells in the Paravanar river belt would be revived.
“We are managing water supply at 675 mld with the present resources. If the reservoirs do not get sufficient rain by the end of 2018, we may have to begin using these buffer sources,” an official said. The water agency has also launched a study to explore new aquifers for growing needs of the city.
