Retteri lake could become Chennai’s fifth reservoir

CHENNAI: Retteri

lake

in Kolathur could become the city’s fifth

drinking water

reservoir with the government on Monday committing to study the feasibility of setting up an on-site water treatment plant.


In an announcement made on the floor of assembly, municipal administration minister S P Velumani said the Metrowater board could draw up to four million litres of water from the lake daily to augment the city’s drinking water supply. The lake spread over more than 1,000 acres is a rain-fed water body. But uncontrolled sewage release has caused water contamination.

Velumani said Metrowater board would itself provide water and sewerage connections to individual households on payment of a nominal fee. “Future underground pipeline projects will include the cost required to provide individual connections. Charges to obtain these connections can be paid in installments,” said Velumani.

Taking note of IT firms’ struggle to fetch drinking water during summer, the minister announced that the government would spend Rs 6.50 crore to set up a drinking water station at Kilambakkam lake near

Urapakkam

.

“We will draw 1.5 million litres per day from the Kilambakkam lake and supply the water exclusively to IT companies on OMR through tanker lorries,” said Velumani.

The government will spend ?67.74 crore to improve the condition of drinking water infrastructure laid by the erstwhile Valasaravakkam municipality in 2005. The minister also set aside ?110 crore to take up drinking water and sewerage pipeline laying work in the added areas of Chennai city. “New households without water and drainage connections have come up in Chennai city’s extended limits,” he added.

To address water shortage in the city’s suburbs of Pammal and Anakaputhur, the minister said the government will set up a water treatment plant in the quarries of Senkazhuneermalai. “The treatment plant will cost ?6.40 crore and will help us draw and treat 2.50 MLD, out of which 1.50 MLD will be provided to Pammal and the remaining to Anakaputhur,” Velumani said.


To improve knowledge of Metrowater board’s responsibilities among public, the government would set up an awareness centre and museum at the Kilpauk water treatment plant at a cost of ?2 crore, the minister said.