The trial run of Phase I of Mettur — Salem Dedicated Water Supply Scheme is expected to commence from May as most of the construction activities at the water treatment plant in Thottilpatti in Mettur are nearing completion.

Municipal Corporation engineers said that the construction of filter beds and installation of cable lines were being carried out in the intake tower, aerator, clarifier, filter house and clear water sump house.

Officials said that the application had already been submitted to the Mettur Electricity Power Distribution Circle, Tangedco, to supply 11 MW power to the plant in Thottilpatti and to the booster station in Komburankadu.

“The civic body has also paid Rs. 72 lakh towards the same,” they added. The officials said that during the trial run, three motors each with a capacity of 250 HP would pump raw water from the dam and treat at the plant that would be pumped to Komburankadu booster station. Leakages in pipes, motor pumping capacity, rate of filtration and other works would be attended to and repairs would be carried out.

The trial run was expected to be within three months, a senior engineer said. Laying of pipelines from Mettur to Salem was also nearing completion expect from Arabic College to Mamangam.

The National Highways Authority of India’s permission had been sought to lay pipelines along the road for about 2.5 km apart from crossing the road at one point. NHAI’s approval was expected any time, said the senior engineer.

A total of 155 million litres of protected water will be supplied to the houses in 60 wards in the Corporation limits.

The scheme is implemented by the Municipal Corporation in two phases at a total cost of Rs. 320 crore. Phase I consists of six packages and Phase II three packages, including construction of 22 overhead tanks, laying of pipelines from main feeder pipelines to tanks and laying of pipelines for distribution to households.

Currently, the city receives 15 MLD through Mettur — Salem old scheme and 53.5 MLD through Mettur — Salem — Attur Combined Water Supply Scheme.