Chennai Metrowater Boosts Supply to 1.5 Lakh More Households

Chennai Metrowater has significantly increased its daily water supply, benefiting an additional 150,000 households. The supply has risen from 1,100 million litres per day (MLD) to 1,240 MLD. This increase follows the completion of piped water connections in various parts of the city, particularly in newly added areas.

The newly connected regions include Valsaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Manali, and Madhavaram. Residents in these areas, who previously relied on wells, groundwater, or water trucks, have been receiving piped water for approximately two weeks. According to a Metrowater engineer, zones 14 and 15 now receive 39 MLD each, sufficient to serve over 60,000 residents in both zones.

Improvements and Ongoing Challenges

The expanded supply is sourced from two desalination plants located at Nemmeli. Residents have expressed satisfaction with the improvements in water availability. S Saminathan, secretary of the Confederation of Sholinganallur constituency Resident Welfare Association (RWA), noted that dependency on water trucks has decreased. However, he raised concerns about frequent damage to water pipes due to other infrastructure projects.

In north Chennai, approximately 30,000 residents in two newly added areas are now enjoying piped water access. D Neelakannan, president of the Madhavaram RWA, stated that about 50% of the constituency now has piped water. He called for the completion of ongoing pipe-laying work in wards 29 and 30 to ensure comprehensive access to drinking water for all residents.

Strategic Supply Management

The decision to provide water connections in a phased manner, rather than waiting for the entire project to be completed, reflects Metrowater’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for water in Chennai’s core and added areas. The total demand stands at approximately 1.5 TMC. A significant portion of the supply, 180 MLD, comes from the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore, which is currently at 91% capacity, the highest volume recorded from this reservoir.

The two desalination plants at Nemmeli contribute 81 MLD and 60 MLD respectively, while the Minjur plant in north Chennai remains non-operational. Additionally, Metrowater draws about 5 MLD from the Kannankottai Thervoykandigai reservoir in Tiruvallur district to supply industries in the SIPCOT complex.

As Chennai continues to adapt to its water needs, the latest enhancements in the water supply system demonstrate a proactive approach to managing resources effectively and ensuring that residents have reliable access to drinking water.