The Hindu 30.08.2012
Chlorination tanks to check cholera in Chennai
Over the past one week, Chennai Metrowater has installed
chlorination tanks across the city to ensure that the residual chlorine
level is maintained in the piped water supply.
According
to sources in the Metrowater, around 100 spot chlorination tanks have
been installed in the tail-end areas across Chennai, including newly
merged areas. Chlorine levels that are as high as five parts per million
(ppm) at water distribution stations become negligible by the time
drinking water reaches consumers, particularly those in the dead-end
streets.
The installation of such tanks with a
capacity of 250 litres is an attempt to maintain the chlorine level at a
minimum of 0.2 ppm in the piped water supply. Sodium hypochlorite
solution would be mixed into the water and the tank will be connected to
the pipeline nearby.
This measure would ensure that the water supplied through pipeline has adequate chlorination throughout the day, said sources.This step is in the wake of the recent cholera outbreak in the city.
The
areas where chlorination tanks have been installed include
Tiruvottiyur, Vyasarpadi, Pulianthope and Perungudi. Metrowater
officials said problems of insufficient chlorine level arise when water
is drawn during non-supply hours too.
Residents in
areas such as Broadway, Sowcarpet and Anna Nagar West often complain
that the drinking water is not adequately chlorinated. M.Subadra, a
resident of Broadway, said that old pipelines in some streets must be
replaced besides ensuring presence of chlorine.
In
some parts of Mogappair and Anna Nagar West Extension, the chlorine
levels in the water are not that high as it is directly supplied from
the treatment plant in Red Hills instead of distribution stations.Nearly 15 chlorination tanks have been put up in Mogappair and Anna Nagar Western Extension.
