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Water Supply

Enough in reservoirs to last till next monsoon: Metrowater officials

Thursday, 12 November 2009 11:56 administrator
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The Times of India 12.11.2009

Enough in reservoirs to last till next monsoon: Metrowater officials

Vivek Narayanan, TNN 12 November 2009, 05:56am IST

CHENNAI: The level in the Veeranam lake in Cuddalore is up to the brim following the heavy inflow but Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials say it does not mean any increase in the supply to the city. They, however, say the four reservoirs have enough to last till the next monsoon.

On Tuesday, the level in the Veeranam lake was at 43.7 feet against its capacity of 47.5 feet. The inflow was 1,000 cusecs while the outflow maintained at 1,474 cusecs. On Wednesday, the inflow was 500 cusecs and the outflow 493 cusecs.

CMWSSB officials say only 180 Million litres per Day (MLD) is drawn from the lake for the city's needs. "Veeranam is primarily a irrigation lake from which we are drawing water for the city under a scheme. Of the out flow of 493 cusecs from Veeranam on Wednesday, 427 cusecs will go for agricultural use and 66 cusecs for Chennai," said an official.

Water from Veeranam reaches a pumping house in Settiya Thoppu near Cuddalore and goes to a treatment plant in Vadakuthu near Neyvelli. From there it reaches an overhead tank in Kadambuliyur and then, using gravity, 180 MLD is sent to the Porur headworks. "This then provides water to entire South Chennai," said the official.

Officials say the level in the four reservoirs supplying water to the city increased by 45% on Wednesday compared to Tuesday. On Tuesday, the combined storage was 4880 mcft against the capacity of 11,057 mcft. On Wednesday, it was 5039 mcft an increase of 159 mcft.

"The increase is mainly due to the rains. The average rainfall in Red Hills, Cholavaram, and Poondi is 325 mm for November. We have been receiving 2.3 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of Krishna water. This is expected to continue untill our reservoirs become full and we ask them to stop. This will ensure enough supply till the next monsoon," said the official.

 

Chennai: Enough in reservoirs for 2010 needs

Thursday, 12 November 2009 11:35 administrator
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The New Indian Express 12.11.2009

Chennai: Enough in reservoirs for 2010 needs
Sharadha Narayanan

CHENNAI: Rainwater has so far only filled the city’s four reservoirs up to 46.4 per cent of their average capacity but Metro Water officials are confident that city’s water needs will be met comfortably next year.

Notwithstanding the delay in the onset of the northeast monsoon, the reservoirs have recorded a substantial increase in storage. Yet, they still fall short compared storage achieved in the same period last year.

But no reason to worry, say Metro Water officials. “The water stored so far along with that to come this season is enough for the city’s water needs. If needed water from the Kandaleru reservoir can be brought here by extending the arrangement with the Andhra Pradesh government. And the Veeranam lake is already brimming this season,” said PWD official.

While the monsoon was more prompt last year, the soil’s moisture levels have been very good this year, letting all the rainwater to drain straight into the reservoirs. “Typically, the first lot of monsoon rains is used by the soil in catchment areas to rejuvenate itself and only the next lap of rains drain into the reservoirs. But this year, as the soil was moist, initial rains immediately raised up water levels in the reservoirs,” said the Metro Water official. Catchment areas of Chembarambakkam reservoir have seen highest rainfall, with storage almost tripling.

Last Updated on Thursday, 12 November 2009 11:48
 

Rains increase inflow into city reservoirs

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 05:50 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 10.11.2009

Rains increase inflow into city reservoirs

November 10th, 2009
By Our Correspondent
Tags: Cholavaram, four reservoirs, Poondi, Redhills and Chembarambakkam, replenish its aquifers and quench its thirst

Chennai, Nov. 9: The rains in the last few days have increased the inflow to the four reservoirs, Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarambakkam, that the capital city largely depends on.

Chennai, which is the only metropolis in the country without a perennial source of drinking water, depends on the northeast monsoon to replenish its aquifers and quench its thirst.

It is these rains that decide whether the city would be able to take care of its water requirements for the rest of the year.

Apart from the four reservoirs, Chennai also depends on water from Veeranam Lake in Cuddalore district and Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh.

As on Monday, Poondi reservoir has got an inflow of 1,230 cusecs, while Cholavaram recorded 653 cusecs and Red hills 921 cusecs. The inflow to Chembarambakkam stands at 1,556 cusecs.

The increase in inflow has increased the water level in the four reservoirs, with total storage standing at 4,605 million cubic feet (mcft). “Rains so far received are insufficient and to meet the city’s water needs till next monsoon season, we need more rains and more water in our reservoirs,” said Mr G Elangovan, engineering director of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB).

He added that the inflows into the reservoirs were good and water level had gone up, but it would only be enough to meet six months’ need.

Besides rain, the rainwater harvesting system employed throughout the city also contributes in increasing the water table level. “However the effect of RWH would only be known at least one month after the rains,” said Mr Elangovan.

Dr Y. E.A. Raj, deputy director general in the Regional Meteorological Centre of Chennai, said that though the interior districts received good rains on Monday, the rainfall in the state was deficient by 3 percent. According to him, rains would pick up strength by the weekend.

Meanwhile, unknown persons damaged the bund lock of the 100-acre Sembakkam Lake at the Sembakkam town panchayat near Tambaram. The water, which got diverted, is at the moment flowing to Nanmangalam Lake near Thirumangai Nagar.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:05
 
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