Erratic Metro Water supply to public tanks irks north Chennai residents

The residents, most of whom do not have water connections and consume water from public water tanks, demand that Metro water resume regular water supply. 

Residents of Chintadripet, Purasawalkam, Mint and Tondaiyarpet complain that there were no public water tanks in their areas so they suffer due to lack of drinking water.

“The officials concerned should install big water tanks in accordance with the population in the areas. If tanks are regularly filled with drinking water, it is easy for us to collect it whenever necessary,” said M Kaleeswari of Arunachala Nagar, Chintadripet. 

Another resident of Tondaiyarpet said that water tankers are arriving once in three days now prompting them to go for buying packaged water by paying money. “The concerned officials should ensure arrivals of water tankers regularly,” she said. The Metro water department should consider operating more number of lorries covering the city, she added. 

When DTNext contacted a senior official of Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), he said that they supplied water across the city without interruption. When asked why water was supplied to public tanks erratically, the official replied “all the areas that have water tanks are filled up. However, water is being supplied in open places in areas where such tanks are not available.” CMWSSB officials also claimed that all the major lakes have witnessed a substantial increase in water levels due to rains last year and the recent rainfalls added a shot in the arm. “We will be able to maintain continuous supply of drinking water,” said another official. The official also assured that unlike previous years, Chennai will not face drinking water shortage this year.