The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Quarries turn into reservoirs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Quarries turn into reservoirs

K. Manikandan

The water can be made potable after simple treatment processes, say experts

FILLED WITH WATER: With quarrying coming to an end in several hillocks in Tiruneermalai, Tirusulam, Pallavaram and Kadaperi areas, vast reservoirs of water have been created. — Photo: Shaju John

TAMBARAM: At first glance, they seem to be signs of destruction of a natural resource. But today, hundreds of abandoned quarries have turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they have become vast reservoirs of rainwater.

The never ending demand for the blue metal for building roads and construction activities resulted in quarrying in hillocks at Kadaperi, Tirusulam, Tiruneermalai, Pallavaram and nearby areas of the southern suburbs. The past three decades especially saw the mushrooming of quarries and crushing units in these places, recall experts.

According to K.R. Sivaraman, former Geophysicist, Public Works Department (Groundwater), at least one hundred ponds were created in these abandoned quarries in Tambaram Taluk and the volume of rainwater stored in them was huge. "One month ago, we undertook a study of abandoned quarries in Tirusulam and the depth ranged from 20 feet to 200 feet," the former official said.

While making it clear that water could not be used directly from these quarries for domestic use, he said it could be made potable after simple treatment processes. Though no elaborate studies on tapping this precious source have been made, water from these quarries could be sufficient to meet the needs of panchayats or even small municpalities.

Keeps getting recharged

"The advantage is that water here is relatively pure and cleaner than surface water as the rocky surface makes the abandoned quarries more of a tank," he said. Even after continuous pumping, these ponds would not dry up as the underground channels below the hillocks ensure that water keeps getting recharged.

At least a few million gallon litres of water a day could be harvested everyday from these ponds, Mr. Sivaraman said. He recalled that in Pallapatti near Karur, the PWD helped in harvesting 10 million litres of water a day from an abandoned quarry and even now, water is supplied to residents in the vicinity.

He was of the view that the urgent need was for setting up a Research and Development Wing either at the government level or by non-governmental organisations working for protecting water bodies so that the vast potential in these reservoirs could be tapped. Once it is done, it could contribute significantly to solve the drinking water problems. (EOM)

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