UPBEAT: Open wells in houses across the city, including this one at Villivakkam, witnessed a considerable increase in water level since the onset of the northeast monsoon. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI : The heavy rain brought by the northeast monsoon has increased the groundwater level considerably, which has led to improved water quality in most areas.

There has been a steady rise in groundwater levels by an average of 2 metres in the city this month. The change in the water level between October first week and November first week was recorded during a recent study, which monitored wells in 29 stations across the city.

The results of the study, made by Chennai Metrowater and other government departments, has been put out by the State Ground and Surface Water Data Resource Centre, a wing of the Public Works Department.

The city received about 898 mm of rainfall between October 1 and November 22, an excess of 67 per cent compared to the normal rainfall of 536 mm.

Saidapet recorded the maximum increase in water level with 5 m. Localities including Villivakkam and Koyambedu, which fall under clayey areas, saw an increase of about 4 m during November. Little Mount, Velachery and places around Raj Bhavan also showed a rise of 4 m in the water table.

A few areas including Kolathur, Chinna Kodungaiyur, Arumbakkam, Tansi Nagar in Velachery, Virugambakkam and Nungambakkam recorded a rise of about 3 m. There was a 2 m rise in the groundwater level in areas such as Ayanavaram, Sembium, Purasawalkam, Saligramam, K.K.Nagar, Anna Nagar West, and Kotturpuram.

Tondiarpet, Parrys, MKB Nagar, Kellys, Chinmaya Nagar and Chetpet recorded an increase of about 1 m in the water level. Three areas, Greams Road, Mandaveli, Royapettah, recorded the least rise of less than a metre.

Salinity

Residents said that water salinity had gone down in areas along the coast such as Besant Nagar and Triplicane due to the rains.

A PWD official said that the rainwater harvesting in several buildings was also a reason for the steady increase in the water table and its quality.

The reservoirs that supply water to the city are also fast filling up, but Metrowater does not plan to step up drinking water supply.

A Metrowater official said the total storage of the reservoirs now is less by one thousand million cubic feet compared to last year's storage during this period, and hence the decision not to step up supply. At present, about 650 million litres of water a day is being supplied to the city and the same amount of supply can be maintained for another year.

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