Know about this new drinking water storage source facility for residents of Chennai during droughts?
Posted on: 06/Sep/2022 9:39:36 AM
In the future, a canal might be constructed to carry excess water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir to the abandoned quarries in Sikkarayapuram. The water could be stored as a buffer drinking water source for Chennai residents. This was proposed by the Water Resources Department or WRD. Located 25kms from Chennai, Chembarambakkam reservoir is one of the two irain fed reservoirs from where water is supplied to Chennai public.
A considerable amount of water flows into Adyar River every time the flood gates of the reservoir at Chembarambakkam get opened due to excess water storage. It was brought out that a portion of water would be diverted to Sikkarayapuram quarries and the water could be drawn during droughts.
Near the Chembarambakkam surplus course at Kavanur, a 2.10km channel would be constructed and this would carry 500 cusecs of water. It must be recalled that in June 2022 the shutters of Chembarambakkam reservoir were opened.
On Monday, the water storage here was 3.2tmcft and it stood at 88% of its total capacity. Exactly a year ago, the water storage here was 2.65 tmcft. If this reservoir gets heavy inflow of water due to the NE monsoon, the flood gates of the Chembarambakkam reservoir would be opened again for the second time in 2022.
To ensure smooth diversion of water into the canal, a 40m wide bed dam was built across the Chembarambakkam surplus course near Kavanur.
It is worthy to note that this Rs 35 crore project would create another drinking water source for Chennai and it would also reduce the flooding at Adyar River. In the abandoned quarries in Seyyarayapuram about 400 million cubic feet of water could be stored. According to some officials, the CMWSSB has got infrastructure for drawing water from the quarries. Information gathered is that the project would get completed in another 8 to 9 months of time.
