Chennai groundwater level up by 1.7 metres

Chennai: With surface water depleting in all four major reservoirs in Chennai to less than one tmc ft of water, when compared to 9 tmc ft  during the same period last year, a study by Chennai metro water after analysing 145 wells in Greater Chennai covering 426 square km has revealed that groundwater table in the city has surged by 1.7 metres.

However, water levels, despite the December 2015 flash floods have dipped in north Chennai comprising Tondiarpet and Thiruvottiyur. The record rainfall that led to the devastating deluge in the city helped increase groundwater table by two metres to 10.5 metres across the city early this year and now after the groundwater harvesting by private borewells and residents the groundwater lev-el is still an increase of 1.7 metres during this October, said a Chennai metro water official adding that of the 15 zones on Chennai, 13 zones were having a better ground water table, when compared to the figures of 2015.

“We are hoping for December rains, so that the ground water can be a good alternate during the March, April and May when the summer is at its peak,” the official added.    

According to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), South Chennai has a better groundwater table when compared to Central and north Chennai. South Chennai zones, including Valasarawalkkam, Adyar, Alandur and Teynampet, recorded an increase in water level ranging from a metre to 1.7 metres during the yearlong study period.

Madhavaram maintained the same level of groundwater for the past one year and similar situation prevailed for Manali with a negligible increase in the water table, said a media statement from CMWSSB.