Chennai: Mugappair residents have a news to cheer. In wake of a deficit monsoon, Metrowater officials will supply the neighbourhood with water from Sikkarayapuram quarries near Mangadu.
Starting Monday, Metrowater will begin drawing water from quarries in Sikkarayapuram located near Mangadu in the western part of the city and supply it to residents in the central and western areas. A senior official said Mugappair, Anna Nagar, Mugappair, Porur and Valasaravakkam will be among those set to benefit.
According to officials, a total of 3 lakh residents will benefit from water drawn from Sikkarayapuram. Metrowater will draw 30mld (million litres a day). There are 25 quarries in Sikkarayapuram, which together can hold up to 345 million cubic feet of water. Pipelines have been laid for a distance of 4.5 km to draw the water from the quarries. The pumped water will reach the treatment plant before being pumped into the Chembarambakkam reservoir.
Recycle reuse
Metrowater authorities are also seeking another innovative solution to the looming water shortage problems that Mugappair could face this sumer along with the rest of the city.
The government is looking to establish decentralised water source augmentation, with onsite sewage water treatment plants in Rettai Eri, Perumbakkam and Ayanambakkam lakes and water would be supplied to Mugappair distribution system. This method was developed by IIT-Madras to recharge the groundwater and also create a sustainable water source.
The project for setting up this at Rettai Eri, Perumbakkam and Ayanambakkam lakes will be Rs 39.15 crore, say sources. Initially, 10 MLD of water would be pumped out from these lakes and supplied to consumers through water distribution systems at Kolathur, Sholinghanallur, Karapakkam and Mugappair.
“This will be the permanent solution to address the city’s water crisis. It will be replicated in other parts of the city in the coming years,” said an official.