Chennai: For the first time in the recent times water starved capital Chennai from Friday will receive processed water from quarries in Kancheepuram district.
After several rounds of tests and analysis about 30 mld of water will now be treated and supplied to city residents and the Rs 13.63 crore project mooted by the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has yielded positive results, said informed sources with Chennai Metro Water Board.
With all reservoirs turning bone dry and the ground water depleting, tapping of water from quarries was the last resort. There were also series of campaign by environmentalists alleging that the water in the quarry sites had heavy metal deposition and can lead adverse health effects, if consumed. Metro water authorities were aware of these consequences only the quarries that had safe water is roped for the project, the official explained.
According to CMWSSB sources, 22 quarries located at Sikkarayapuram near Mangadu were taken up for feasibility studies. Various tests by experts from Kings Institute, Centre for Environmental studies and Geological department Anna University to ascertain the quality of the stagnant rainwater showed positive results.
The water will now be treated at nearby Chembarambakkam water treatment plant and then supplied. Trial operations began early this week and the water is now pumped at the rate of 30 mld for 100 days and totally 3,000 mld is to be drawn from the quarries. Laying of 4 km pipeline, installation of pumpsets and generators were completed within a record of 30 days. CMWSSB managing director V. Arun Roy also felicitated the drought team for completing the project at short notice.
