Chennai Metrowater inches closer to goal of continuous water supply in Adyar zone

Inching closer to its ambitious goal of providing round-the-clock piped water supply in the Adyar zone, Chennai Metrowater is evaluating tenders to appoint a concessionaire to implement the project.

With apartment complexes replacing many independent houses in the zone, residents said even the existing piped water supply had become inadequate to meet the growing demand. While welcoming the move to provide round-the-clock water supply, residents of wards 178 and 179, stressed it must be sustained with good quality.

Residents of zone XIII, currently receiving 35 million litres of water daily (mld), would get 50 mld of water once the ₹ 271.50 crore project is completed in two years. Aiming at continuous and equitable water supply to 38,866 households, the project would cover wards 170, 173, 174, 178 to 180 and part of 169.

Metrowater would upgrade Pallipattu and Thiruvanmiyur water distribution stations with automated controls and SCADA-enabled real time monitoring to ensure continuous, metered supply in the Adyar zone. Water would be sourced from 110-mld Nemmeli desalination plant and 530 mld Chembarambakkam water treatment plant.

Officials of the Metrowater said the project would be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model, based on the study by Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), which would also serve as the project management consultant.

WATCO and Metrowater have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the project in Adyar and Kodambakkam zones, with the pilot expected to be scaled up to other zones in a phased manner. WATCO, which implemented ‘Drink from Tap Mission’ in Puri, Odisha, would assist the water agency in bid evaluation, monitoring, and commissioning the work, officials said.

Residents said they wanted clean water and an accountable supply. Ranjith of Besant Nagar, said “We use groundwater apart from piped water supply. Metered water supply must be economical.”

Divya K.M., a resident of Kalakshetra Colony, said “Increasing the number of flats means rising water demand. Some buildings rely heavily on borewells to meet the gap. The continuous water supply will help protect groundwater reserves, which provides a fallback during exigent situations. Water metering will give data on demand and supply and help check overconsumption and wastage.”

Officials of Metrowater said residents would be supplied with 150 litres per capita per day (lpcd) as per Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation norms.

The entire distribution network would be divided into district-metered areas by fixing boundary valves and flow meters to control leaks, reduce non-revenue water, and balance pressure across the network. Though it may not mirror the Odisha initiative fully, uninterrupted and uniform supply would reduce the need for storage and minimise contamination. Old pipelines would also be replaced.

The pilot scheme had to be aligned with the major ring main pipeline project. Work is likely to begin in a few months, officials added.