The Hindu      19.07.2012

Water level in Siruvani Dam continues to be critical

Water level in the Siruvani Dam is no cause for comfort.- File Photo: K. Ananthan

More than a month into the southwest monsoon, the water level in the Siruvani Dam continues to be critical. As on July 17, the water level stood at 9.84 ft. The full reservoir level is 49.54 ft.

Sources say the poor rains from the monsoon have led to a situation, where the Coimbatore Corporation, the main beneficiary, is forced to have a relook at the water supply cycle.

The water level has remained at the 866 m mark for over a week now. On July 10 the water level stood at 865.85 m. On July 13 and 14 it was at 866 m. For a couple of days thereafter the water level dipped marginally only to reach the 866 m mark again.

The absence of change in water level is on account of the poor inflow into the dam. In the past week, the rainfall in Siruvani did not cross 20 mm.

The sources say they are worried as the situation has not been this bad in the recent past. The current water level is at least 25 feet less than what it was a year ago. And this calls for rationalisation of supply.

The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board supplies 80 million litres a day, of which around 65 mld reaches the Corporation. This supply brings down the water level by around 10 cm a day.

Aliyar

As far as the Aliyar water supply goes, the Corporation is on a strong wicket. As against the designed quantity of 7.33 mld, the civic body has been receiving eight mld. The TWAD Board has also removed the generators it used to streamline supply when power cut impacted the supply at pumping station.

The Hindu         15.06.2012

Project reports for water supply network in city's added areas by August

Residents of many merged areas who have to now manage with groundwater and private water resources as they do not have a proper water supply network, may soon get one.

Chennai Metrowater is set to complete detailed projects reports for a comprehensive water supply and sewerage network for the expanded city by August.

While some municipalities such as Valasaravakkam and Alandur, which have come under the ambit of the city, already have the network, work is still progressing in Ambattur, Madhavaram, Pallikaranai and Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam.

Metrowater has now turned its focus on the 31 other town and village panchayats that are counting on the water agency for better infrastructure. Though the water agency is currently supplying 80 million litres a day (mld) to the newly added areas, this is not sufficient to meet the needs of the people.

R. Suganthi of Kathirvedu, said, “I rely on water from the well and a few pots that I manage to fetch from the street taps. It is very difficult to manage. In summer, I buy packaged drinking water. Private tankers charge nearly Rs.1,000 for a trip.”

Detailed reports for the projects are being prepared simultaneously under the Chennai Mega City Development Mission. The projects are estimated to cost about Rs.800 crore for providing water supply and Rs.1,200 crore for the sewerage network. Areas to be supplied with water and sewerage connections include Nolambur, Nerkundram, Manali, Puzhal, Nandambakkam, Kottivakkam and Puzhal.

The projects envisage a bridging of the existing inadequacies in infrastructure and improving the health and sanitation of residents. Metrowater statistics reveal that the demand for water in the expanded city is nearly 1,1130 mld whereas the water agency is supplying only 830 mld.

Officials said that 80 per cent of the water demand would work out to be sewage generation. The water agency is taking into account parameters such as the area's population demand for water, local sources, existing infrastructure and land available, in the preparation of the project reports. Following this, Metrowater will begin identifying funding agencies.

The schemes being formulated at present are for a projected population in 2044. “We are aiming to cover the entire expanded city with water and sewer connections in three years”, an official said.