Metrowater working to tide over crisis

Pipes being laid to tap water from abandoned quarries near Sikkarayapuram

Chennai:Tambaram:09/05/2017;Water pipe laying work has started from Kundrathur abandonded quarry to Chembrambakkam tank.Photo;G.Krishnaswamy

In an effort to tide over the drinking water crisis in the city, Chennai Metrowater has started exploring various possibilities, such as harnessing water from abandoned quarries near the reservoirs.

After conducting studies on the feasibility of tapping water from abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram area near the Chembarambakkam reservoir, Metrowater has begun the pipe-laying work to supply water to the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the reservoir.

The entire work of pipe-laying covering a distance of 3.2 km is expected to reach the WTP at Chembarambakkam within 40 days, officials said, adding that it was one of the latest moves to manage the demand for drinking water during summer.

According to sources, the pipes are made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), considered a cost-effective answer for a number of piping problems in municipal and industrial usage.

22 quarries identified

Officials said that they have identified nearly 22 quarries in Sikkarayapuram. After reaching the WTP, water would be purified using pulsator clarifiors and aquazur filters.

Once the quality of water is found to be fit for drinking, measures would be taken to transmit water through pipe-lines for households.

A minimum of 2,500 mld has been estimated to be the potential water yield in these quarries from Sikkarayapuram, Pammal, Tiruneermalai and Nanmangalam.

The water agency has also engaged the services of Anna University to conduct a detailed hydrographic and biological study to determine the quality of the water and exact volume available, officials said.