The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Veeranam pipelines being flushed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Veeranam pipelines being flushed

By K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI, MAY 1. Metrowater has started flushing operations in the pipelines laid as part of the New Veeranam Project to bring water to the city.

While pipe-laying work (for a distance of 228 km) has nearly been completed, Metrowater has so far carried out flushing of the pipeline covering 50 km of the stretch.

A Metrowater senior official said a hydrology test is being conducted in about 50 segments of the alignment. Flushing is the regular process of cleaning and disinfecting the pipeline before water is pumped into it.

For the flushing operation, Metrowater has assessed that at least three million litres of water will be required for a segment of one kilometre. This water requirement may vary according to the distance covered in a single cleaning operation.

Water from agricultural wells in the neighbourhood will be conveyed through hosepipes and pumped into the pipeline, he said. Water is also being ferried in lorries for the cleaning operation.

``We decided to use this pipeline as part of drought relief work and only drinking water can be used for the operation as it transfers water for human consumption,'' the official explained.

However, the water used for cleaning the pipeline will not be wasted. It will be let into nearby lakes and ponds for recharge. The water used for cleaning the pipes leading into the city will be released into Porur Lake. Desilting work has been started at the lake to increase its total storage capacity.

At present, Metrowater plans to draw water from 45 borewells that are being sunk in the Neyveli aquifer for daily supply to the city. Initially, the water so drawn will be stored in the Porur Lake for a fortnight before it is taken to Kilpauk Waterworks, where it will be treated prior to distribution. The water will then be channelised into existing main supply lines after the completion of pipe-laying work at Porur in a month's time. About 60 million litres of water a day is expected to be supplied from this source.

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