The Times of India              05.09.2013

Corporation to seek govt nod for Vaigai water

MADURAI: Bogged down by acute water shortage, the city corporation authorities have decided to seek the state government to allot 600 mcft from the Vaigai dam every year to meet the drinking water requirements of the city.

The civic body passed a resolution during the council meeting on Wednesday to send a request to the state government in this regard. But the challenge lies in obtaining the nod from the state government as availability of water in Vaigai dam has been inadequate. Though the full reservoir level (FRL) is 70 ft, more than 20 ft is silt leaving only the remaining storage area for water to accumulate from the catchment areas. Despite the heavy silt at the bottom 20 ft, the dam had failed to reach FRL this year. In addition, the dam water is also meant to address irrigation needs of Dindigul and Ramanathapuram districts, which at present is done only partially.

However, corporation authorities said that with Madurai population growing every year, there was no other alternative than to depend on Vaigai. "We hope to get the water allotted," said a corporation official.

Madurai right now gets 115 mcft from the Vaigai Drinking Water Scheme I and II every day. The city would get an additional 23 mcft if drinking water systems put in place in Vaigai bed are refurbished. However, the city, excluding the newly-annexed areas, would require 590 mcft water every year to address the requirements of the existing population. The resolution passed by the corporation council said that the infrastructure to draw the required 590 mcft water was available and the purified water from Pannaipatti could be supplied to the city.

During the meeting, many councillors raised the issue of erratic supply of drinking water to their wards. They also complained that the drinking water is contaminated by the sewage water. Zone 4 Chairman, P Salaimuthu urged the corporation to look into the issue seriously and come out with solid measures to rectify the issues. He wanted to know the findings of the special committee formed earlier to study the drinking water woes. Answering the queries of councillors, city engineer (in-charge) A Mathuram said that the special committee headed by Jayaseelan, engineer concerned for drinking water is carrying out the studies. The old and worn out pipes seem to be causing the issues like erratic water supply without adequate pressure to pump the water as well as sewage contamination. The corporation has prepared the DPR of replacing these old pipes for the cost of Rs 247 crore and the proposal has been sent to the government for funding, he said.