Water supply in Chennai

Chennai is one of the metros in India with chronic water problems which is dependent mostly on ground water supply. Ground water in Chennai is replenished by rain water and average rainfall in Chennai is 1276 mm. [ [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/bline/2003/09/15/stories/2003091500010900.htm The Hindu Business Line : Desalination: Answer to Chennai's water woes ] ] Chennai receives about 985 million liters per day (mld) from various sources against the required amount of 1200 mld and the demand is expected to rise to 2100 mld by 2031.

Lakes

Chennai receives most of its water from Veeranam Lake, Red Hills Lake which is treated in Kilpauk water treatment plant. Chennai metro water is responsible for collection, storage, treatment and distribution of water in Chennai. [ [http://www.chennaimetrowater.tn.nic.in/about/aboutusmain.htm Chennai metro water] ]

Desalination

In an effort to alleviate the woes of chennaiites, Tamil Nadu Government has forged into projects acquiring fresh water by desalinating sea water. The first such desalination plant located in Chembarambakkam has a capacity of 530 mld. Chennai is constructing two more water desalination plants at Minjur and Nemmeli. [ [http://www.chennaidesal.info/ Chennai water desalination] ]

Minjur plant is built in 60 acres in Kattupalli village about 35 KM north of Chennai. The project is expected to be operational from 15 Jan 2009 and will supply 100 million liters of potable water to the city every day. Reverse osmosis using 273 million liters of sea water will be employed for the purification process. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Pongal_gift_for_Chennaiites_Desalination_plant/articleshow/3456942.cms Pongal gift for Chennaiites: Desalination plant] ]

Contamination

The water quality in Chennai is a long way to reach International standards as outlined in this study published on April 2007. Researchers from National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Chennai Zonal Laboratory, Chennai found Cryptosporidium oocytes in Chennai water. Cryptosporidium is an enteric parasitic protozoan capable of causing diarrhea. [ [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/114211007/abstract Contamination] ]

References