Metro Water to identify 200 borewells in Cuddalore district to tackle crisis

With the entire state facing a water crisis, the officials have been tapping water from around 300 borewells in Thiruvallur district. However, the officials have kept the option of drawing water from Porur lake and stone quarries, which they have already identified, open for the time being. 

Meanwhile, residents in many parts of the city have already complained that they receive water only once in two to three days. 

Sources said, in this situation, the officials no choice but to tap water from more bore wells. The board is planning to set up two more desalination plants in this year. However, they can supply water without only from the next monsoon season onwards.

“Water being taken from the existing borewells is meeting the needs of the city to a large extent. Now, we have decided to identify around 200 more borewells in Paravanar and Veeranam lake areas in Cuddalore district. Moreover, we have added 250 more contract tanker lorries to supply water,” said an official, seeking anonymity. As of now, we are getting around 90 million literes per day (MLD) from the borewells, the official added. 

When asked about the delay in drawing water from Porur lake and stone quarries, the official said, “As the demand for water is expected to increase in the coming days, we have kept that option open for now. Soon, we will take up preliminary works to draw water from the lake and quarries.” 

It may be noted that, despite taping water from nearby districts, the board is able to supply only around 180 MLD of water in the city against 500 MLD a few years ago.