Small efforts can sometimes lead to a huge transformation. Chennai Metrowater seems to be trying to actualise the big dream of cleaning Cooum river through small steps.
The water agency is in the process of building modular sewage treatment plants of a small capacity in various parts of the city. This is to treat raw sewage and let the treated water into the Cooum.
In its 72-km journey to the sea, the Cooum travels for 18 km in core Chennai areas. Though the city is covered with a sewerage system, untreated sewage finds its way into the Cooum either due to malfunctioning of the network or capacity constraints.
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The water agency has identified 337 sewage outfalls in various city waterways. Of this, 105 outfalls are in the river basin. A total of 32 outfalls have been plugged so far. The modular STPs will help plug outfalls and treat the raw sewage.
Four sewage treatment plants will come up in Langs Garden Road, Pudupet to treat 10 million litres of sewage a day (mld). Others of 0.60 mld to 1.2 mld capacity will be constructed along College Road, Chetpet, near Choolaimedu railway bridge and along Chennai Bypass Road between Poonamallee High Road and Cemetery Road.
Nearly 15 such projects, including providing underground drainage system for Nerkundram and Karambakkam, located close to the river, will be implemented under the aegis of the Chennai River Restoration Trust.
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There are even plans to supply treated sewage to the Corporation to maintain parks along the river and Southern Railways. As of now, nearly 95 mld of treated sewage is let into Cooum river from the plant in Koyambedu, according to Metrowater.
Madras Week: Thus Spake Cooum
>Celebrating Madras Week
Over years, Chennai’s own river, the banks on which Madras arose, 376 years ago next week, has meandered on, stoic in the face of the assaults on it.
>Madras thrived on her banks
A group of history enthusiasts has brought a fresh perspective to the image of the river.
>The scene of great battles
A city grew on the banks of the Cooum, but did you know that they have been sites of the clash of civilisations?
>For them, Cooum is not synonymous with sewer
The Cooum, as strange as it might sound to some, still remains a lifeline to many villages in Tiruvallur district.
>Cooum snippets
In the first-person account that follows, one R. Premsingh writes, “I wish to draw the attention of the Corporation authorities to the stinking smell emitted by the Cooum river.”
>Cooum: Madras' engine of growth
Nearly everything that was and is notable in the city took root along my banks, from the houses of the powerful to the centres of commerce
>Staving off the sewage threat in Cooum
Chennai Metrowater seems to be trying to actualise the big dream of cleaning Cooum river through small steps.
>What's in a name?
A group of history enthusiasts has brought a fresh perspective to the image of the river.
>When crocodiles swam free in Cooum
If you walked by the Cooum about a 100 years ago, you may just have spotted the Cooum crocodile
>Cooum: High tide of artistic expression
From cinemas and bookstores to theatre performances and architectural marvels, I have witnessed this great city reaching new creative heights over many decades.
>Chennai Corporation to play a key role in Cooum makeover
Following a resolution by the Chennai Corporation Council this summer, the civic body is set to do a study on the restoration of heritage landscape along the Cooum river.
>On Islands Grounds and the Cooum
Do you know that Island Grounds owes its name to the Cooum?