CMWSSB plans to increase water supply

According to CMWSSB sources, the water supply was reduced to 650 MLD since 2016 following the failure of Northeast monsoon. “We decreased the water level to ensure continued supply. 

The following year, 2017 too monsoon failed forcing us to maintain a minimum supply,” the sources said. Meanwhile, CMWSSB recently conducted a hydrographic survey in 13 lakes and 6 quarries in and around Chennai. CMWSSB also submitted a proposal for a 10 MLD capacity new modular water treatment plant at Rettai Eri lake.

“During the 2017 drought, we constituted a special team to identify new sources to augment water supply. Following this, a new 4 MLD water treatment plant was commissioned at Porur Lake and water was drawn from the lake. Also, 30 MLD water was drawn from Sikkarayapuram quarries,” a Metro Water official said.

The urvey were conducted in Manimangalam Lake, Ayanambakkam Lake, Thiruneermalai Lake, Nemam Lake, Ayyapakkam Lake, Sriperumbandur Lake, Thenneri Lake, Thaiyur Lake, Chithalapakkam Lake, Mambakkam Lake, ArasanKazhani Lake, Perumbakkam and Korattur Lakes. Abandoned stone quarries in Sikkarayapuram, Erumaiyur, Nanmangalam, Pammal, Thiruneermalai and Nallambakkam were also surveyed.

During the survey - water quality, pollution, present usage and land availability for installing facilities were analysed. “The decision of drawing water will be taken based on test results. We hope this would increase the supply,” the official said. CMWSSB also have taken steps to draw water from 10 agricultural wells in Tiruvallur district.