Metrowater issues work order for desal plant in Nemmeli

The Rs 1,689.35 crore plant would have a production capacity of 150 million litres of water per day (MLD). The consortium would design and construct the desalination plant and operate it for 20 years before handing over to the government. The work order was issued on May 27, according to a Metrowater press statement.

The development has come after the Metrowater obtained coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance for the 150 MLD plant and also the 400 MLD plant at Perur. The State government is expecting monetary assistance from the central government.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani chaired a meeting with Metrowater officials to review the water situation in the city, on Friday. Speaking to reporters, Velumani said that the Metrowater has taken steps to supply 525 million litres per day to the city till June 15. “After June 15, even if the rain fails, we have readied several sources to supply 500 million litres per day till November,” he said.

He added that the construction works for the desalination plant at Nemmeli would start next week and the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami would lay the foundation stone.

Apart from augmenting the supply with new sources such as borewells, abandoned quarries and new lakes, the Metrowater has hired as many as 74 small tanker lorries with the capacity of 2,000 litres and 3,000 litres to supply water to narrow streets, the minister said. “Additional 126 small lorries will be hired in 15 days.”

In order to minimise the delay in supplying mobile water, the Metrowater on Friday introduced a new system in which bookings for mobile water could be done for apartments and individual houses separately. “This new system will ensure supply of lorry water within two days of booking,” he added.