The Hindu 24.11.2009

Sewer gratings to be made mandatory

K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI: Chennai Metrowater is planning to make it mandatory for all multi-storeyed and special buildings to install sewer gratings, as a measure to prevent sewer blocks. The gratings would filter the solid waste let out from the buildings.

Metrowater officials said about 320 multi-storeyed buildings were asked to install such iron gratings to prevent solid waste from entering the sewer mains under a pilot project about seven months ago. Two large complexes were identified in each of the 160 depots of the water agency for the project.

Following a 20 per cent reduction in the complaints about sewer blocks after the project was launched, it has been decided to make the gratings mandatory in all other buildings. The Metrowater depot engineers would meet representatives of large buildings in their limits regarding the project, an official said. Special buildings, which have three floors, have been included in the project. The process to identify such buildings is under way.

Metrowater also proposes to purchase three sewage suction machines to suck in silt and small particles from the sewer pipeline. Each machine would cost Rs.25 lakh. The water agency also plans to carry out periodical flushing of the sewer network to bring down incidence of sewer blocks or overflow, the official said.