The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Water works' heritage value

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 12, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Water works' heritage value

K. Lakshmi

Kilpauk unit dates back to 1914

HISTORICAL FORCE: A Metrowater staff operates the 71-year old pump that helps in water distribution to the city from the Kilpauk Water Works. — Photo: K.Pichumani

CHENNAI : For most Chennaiites, Kilpauk Water Works is synonymous with the city's water treatment and distribution system for several decades. But a glimpse into the history and a stroll around the campus unravels the heritage that it embodies.

Dating back to 1914 during the days of J.W.Madley, the then special engineer who pioneered the existing protected water supply system, the Kilpauk Water Works holds several historical monuments and systems that were in use until a year ago. Inaugurated in 1914, Kilpauk Water Works was the first treatment plant for the city with 80 million litres a day capacity then. It was increased to the existing 270 mld capacity in phases.

The massive 60ft steel tank at the entrance is as old as the red-bricked buildings in the premises. The astonishing fact is that the 6.8 million litre overhead tank was used for city water distribution until a year ago. It was rendered redundant due to structural instability. The second overhead tank was built in 1966.

A high-tension pump installed in 1936 still runs tirelessly to distribute treated water to the residents. A Metrowater official said that the 5 ml capacity pump has had only minor repairs.

The 14 slow sand filter structures still stand testimony to the treatment technology introduced by Mr. Madley for the protected water supply. The technology used fine sand, pebbles and bricks to purify the water, which was followed till 2000. It functioned along with rapid sand filter technology that used chemicals to filter water. This treatment method took over to meet to the increased demand.

A 177ft chimney that stands near the sand filter structures is yet another prestigious monument of the treatment plant. As electricity was yet to come to the city, the early technology used coal fed steam engines to filter the water and the smoke would escape through the chimney.

Constructed in 1914, the chimney was part of Mr. Madley's scheme and was actively in use till 1955. Now, a light fixed to it puts it to a different use by illuminating the area.

Several buildings have come up during the course of years. But they have been built with care to resemble the heritage buildings, which add beauty to the Kilpauk treatment plant.

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