The Hindu      10.09.2014

Proposals seeking release of water sent

Chances of this arid district getting its credit of water from Vaigai dam looked bright this year, even as the Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga district administrations have sent proposals to the government for release of 900 million cubic feet for drinking water and groundwater recharge.

As the water level in the Vaigai dam reached 51 feet against the full water level of 71 feet and good amount of discharge of water from Mullaperiyar dam was expected, the district is all set to receive its full share of 1,633 million cubic feet of water this year, official sources said.

Good storage

As there was good storage in the dam, the two district administrations have sent proposals to the government, seeking 400 million cubic feet of Vaigai water and another 900 million cubic feet of Periyar water on loan basis to meet the drinking water needs and augment the groundwater recharge, the sources said.

Ratio

The Vaigai water was shared by Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts on 2:3:7 basis respectively, but the district seldom got its full credit of 1,633 million cubic feet of water every year due to failure of monsoon or poor storage in Vaigai dam.

The district drew nil water in the last two years but received its full share in the year 2010 and 2011 when there was copious inflow into the Vaigai dam and good monsoon rains in the catchment areas.

When the district faced acute drinking water problem last year, the authorities had released 659 million cubic feet of water on the request of the district administration but the water could not even cross Manamaduarai due to severe drought condition, the sources said.

The Hindu       09.09.2014 

Nagapattinam municipality to get underground sewer system soon

Two major towns, Velankanni and Sirkazhi, in the district could soon get underground sewage systems as the district administration has decided to forward detailed project proposals to the government.

Speaking to The Hindu here, Collector T.Munusamy said following the successful implementation of underground sewage system (UGSS) at Mayiladuthurai, the district administration has decided to implement a similar scheme in Nagapattinam.

Nagapattinam is a selection grade municipality and a district headquarters. The area of the town is 14.90 sq km and the population as per 2001 census is 92,525.

Currently, sewage from houses are let into open drains and finally discharged into the Vettar and Devanathi rivers. The government has sanctioned the UGSS for Nagapattinam municipality at an estimated cost of Rs. 60.68 crore. The scheme is funded under Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project III.

All the 36 wards of the Nagapattinam municipality will be covered under the system. The scheme is designed for the base year (2009) population of 1, 02,987 with an intermediate and ultimate year of 2024 and 2039 with estimated population of 1, 25,895 and 1, 53,899 respectively, the Collector said.

The sewage contribution is fixed as 100 litres per capita daily. The sewage generated is 12.59 million litres daily and 15.39 million litres daily respectively for intermediate and ultimate stages.

The town is divided into 8 zones. The sewage collected from all the streets by sewer lines of pipes ranging from 200 mm to 600 mm (UPVC/RCC) to a total length of 90,301 metre with 3,418 manholes, six lift manholes, and seven pumping stations. About 11,034 domestic connections will be provided.

The collected sewage will be treated at two separate sewage treatment plants, one with a capacity of 2.96 MLD at Nagore and another of 9.63 MLD at Nagapattinam (Extended Activated Sludge Process) located as part of the municipal compost yard at Nagapattinam and part of the municipal park at Nagore (Extended Activated Sludge Technology) respectively.

The sewage treatment plant is designed for the intermediate stage total capacity of 12.59 million litres daily. The treated effluent will be discharged into Vettar and Devanathi River for which consent for operation from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has been obtained in March 2012.

The work is being executed in six packages with collection system comprising four packages and sewage treatment plant comprising two packages, said the Executive Engineer of TWAD, U.Murugaiyan.

At present 95 per cent works of collection system are complete. Around 76 per cent works of sewage treatment plant at Nagapattinam and 53 per cent works of sewage treatment plant at Nagore are over. The scheme is expected to be completed by the end of November 2014.

The underground sewerage scheme is a boon to the residents, and Nagapattinam will become free from pollution and environmental-friendly district in the State, said the Municipal Commissioner, R.Murugesan.

Currently, sewer is let into open drains and discharged into Vettar and Devanathi rivers

95 p.c. collection system work over; scheme expected to be completed by November 2014