Metro Water to increase supply to 650 MLD

According to a statement from the water utility, the supply would be increased from Wednesday. During summer, Metro Water had cut down supply to 525 million litres per day, after the four reservoirs – Chembarambakkam, Poondi, Red Hills and Cholavaram lakes – went bone dry.

“Water from Krishna river reached Poondi lake on September 28. Apart from Krishna water, the lake levels are increasing due to the monsoon rains. So, the water supply will be increased to 650 MLD from 525 MLD,” the statement said.

It may be noted that the Metro Water reduced the supply from 830 million litres per day to 650 million litres per day in January due to deficit monsoon in 2018. It was done to manage the water supply through the summer.

As on Tuesday, total storage in the four lakes was at 1,847 mcft, higher than the level recorded on the same day last year. With the Krishna water, Poondi lake has reached storage of 1,273 mcft against its full capacity of 3,231 mcft. The lake is receiving an inflow of 857 cusecs and the Metro Water is drawing 440 cusecs for drinking water supply.

Cholavaram lake has a storage of 104 mcft and Red Hills has a storage of 442 mcft. Chembarambakkam lake has a storage of 28 mcft.

During the water crisis, the Metro Water was drawing drinking water from agricultural wells, borewells and abandoned quarries located in outskirts of the city. After the crisis eased, the Metro Water also stopped transporting water on wagons from Jolarpet.