More water drawn from Veeranam lake for Chennai

Chennai: As the northeast monsoon failed to provide the much anticipated rains to the city, water managers here have started to draw more water from Veeranam, as a solution to the city's water crisis.

In the new move, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has started pumping water in excess of what was supposed to be drawn from Veeranam lake. Yet, water supply was reported to be erratic in some parts of the city.

Sources said that Veeranam lake remained the main drinking water source for the city, as it contributes 180 MLD of the 630 MLD of water that is being regularly supplied to the city by CMWSSB. Officials usually draw 180 MLD water from Veeraman lake, but in the recent days, officials have started tapping 190 MLD, as the situation in the city has gone from bad to worse.

"We have no option but to draw extra water from Veeranam lake. Adding to our woes is the drying up of surface water in Chennai lakes including Poondi and Chembarambakkam," said a senior CMWSSB official, requesting anonymity.

As the northeast monsoon spell is still active, officials are eagerly looking to the skies for rains in the days ahead, the official added.

A senior PWD engineer, in-charge of Veeranam lake in Cuddalore district, said, "Since the lake has enough water, metro water board is drawing water. We are also releasing water for irrigation in the district, as farmers have been taking up cultivation."

Going by the present scenario, the current water storage in the four lakes stood at 1,708 million cubic feet (mcft) against its total storage of 11,257 mcft. This would hardly meet the requirement for the next 15 days.

Residents have been raising a hue and cry over erratic water supply. "Earlier, the metro water board supplied water every alternate days. But we now receive water once in two or three days," said M. Kannan, resident of Valasaravakkam.

When contacted, a CMWSSB official said, "Even though the water level is taking a dip, we distribute water without interruption. As of now, we have no any plans to go for ground water sources. We will take a call on the issue in the beginning of January 2019, if the northeast monsoon completely fails."