The Hindu              21.06.2013

Work on pipeline replacement begins

The municipal corporation unveiled plans to augment the drinking water supply by simply replacing the existing pipelines. Authorities hope to increase supply by around 3 million litres a day (MLD) over the next six months.

The earlier proposal to infiltrate the Tamiraparani bed in searcn of fresh water sources has been put on hold.

Leaks at 400 points

The 16-km-long asbestos pipes, laid between the main supply point at Kondanagaram and the Melapalayam overhead tank 30 years ago, have sprung leaks at more than 400 points.

As a result, the overhead tank receives just 5.60 MLD to 6 MLD a day though 9 MLD is pumped from the source, officials said.

They pointed out that pressure could not be mounted to boost water supply in view of the risk of the pipelines bursting.

The Corporation has forwarded a proposal to the State government recommending the replacement of the asbestos pipelines with ductile iron (DI) pipes of 400 mm diameter.

Rs. 9 crore sanctioned

“Chief Minister Jayalalithaa accepted the proposal and sanctioned Rs.9 crore as grant for the project which will be completed before December-end. Once this project is completed, water will not be lost during distribution,” said Mayor Vijila Sathyananth, who inaugurated the work on Thursday.

The Corporation has identified a Hyderabad-based company to execute the work.