The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : City needs long-term water strategy, say experts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 22, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

City needs long-term water strategy, say experts

K. Lakshmi

Capacity augmentation, new reservoirs to trap surplus suggested

IF SUMMER COMES... : As the hot season is round the corner, water demand is set to go up. This scene in Kilpauk may be a pointer to what is in store for city residents. — Photo: K. Pichumani.

CHENNAI : Chennai's water supply this year may be guaranteed, but long-term strategies to meet the growing water demand are urgently needed, say city water experts.

The issue takes on added significance in the context of this year's World Water Day theme, which is `Coping with water scarcity.' World Water Day is celebrated on March 22. The city is dependent on the northeast monsoon for its supply. Instead of scrambling for temporary solutions during crises, policy makers and residents must prepare themselves to meet the growing water demand well in advance, the experts said.

A former Metrowater official said the 100-million litres a day desalination project was chosen since it was considered a viable choice towards a permanent solution. The foundation stone for the project near Minjur was laid recently. Metrowater has also called for consultants to prepare a detailed project report for another plant at Nemmeli in south Chennai.

However, the desalination option has its limitations such as land availability near the sea and the cost of the treated water. Policy makers have to address the question of hikes in water tariff, he said.

Pointing to the state's dependence on inter-state water sources, he said issues such as rainfall and surplus water were crucial for water realisation by Tamil Nadu from the Cauvery and Krishna Rivers.

Recalling the success of New Veeranam project, which brought water over a 220-km pipeline, he said a dedicated pipeline could be considered to transport water to the city from Kandaleru reservoir in Andhra Pradesh for quicker realisation.

Former chief PWD engineer S. Natarajan stressed capacity addition in the present reservoirs by raising the bund and construction of new reservoirs to prevent release of surplus water into the sea. He recalled a proposal to build tanks in Ramancheri near Poondi and Thirukandalam.

Mr. Natarajan suggested linking of Pennar river in Cuddalore district with Cheyyar river through a 25-km canal or pipeline as statistics showed that surplus water was released into sea every three years. This could be connected to the Palar river for city supply. He also highlighted the benefits of linking the Kaliveli tank at Marakanam to the Veeranam pipeline.

An official of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department said the government planned to increase the quantity of recycled wastewater substantially. A 35-million litres a day capacity secondary treatment plant was already catering for industries. The option of artificial groundwater recharge was being studied, particularly in Araniar Kosasthalaiyar.

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