METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD

POLICY NOTE - 2001-2002

The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board was established on 01.08.1978, by an Act of the Tamil Nadu Legislature to address to the issues pertaining to water supply and sanitation in a holistic manner.

1. CHENNAI METROWATER'S MISSION, FUNCTIONS AND ITS GROWTH

CMWSSB's Mission is to enhance the health and quality of life of the citizens of Chennai by providing them with adequate supply of clean and good quality water and by safe disposal of sewage/waste water at a reasonable price and to improve the environment.

The FUNCTIONS of CMWSSB are promoting and securing the planned development of water supply and sewerage services

Efficient operation maintenance and regulation of the water supply and sewerage systems in Chennai Metropolitan Area.

Preparing the immediate and long term measures to meet the future demands of water supply and sewerage services in the Chennai Metropolitan area.

At present it serves a population of about 60 Lakhs mostly in the Chennai City Area. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has taken significant initiatives to supply adequate quantity of water with good quality and also to redress the grievances of the citizens within the minimum time possible.

2. MEASURES TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PRESENT GRAVE DROUGHT SITUATION AND THE ACUTE WATER CRISIS

STORAGE IN LAKES

The drinking water needs of the Chennai City are at present served mainly by 3 reservoirs in Poondi, and Redhills. These reservoirs normally get water during the North East Monsoon and also occasionally from the retreating South West Monsoon. Due to the near total failure of the North East Monsoon for the past two years, the storage levels in the reservoirs have come down considerably.

3. ACTION TAKEN TO MEET THE PRESENT WATER CRISIS

3.1. The status of city water supply and the Contingency plan for managing the acute water crisis was reviewed by the Hon'ble ef Minister in detail on 11.6.2001. In order to tackle the grave water situation and acute drought, it was decided to adopt a multipronged strategy with immediate measures to attend to the day-to-day needs and long term measures for a permanent solution to the water problem facing Chennai city.

3.2. Accordingly, various steps have been taken by Metrowater to meet the drinking water requirements in Chennai City and the proposed contingency plan envisaged the transportation of water from distant sources by road/rail and augmenting ground water supply by hiring agricultural wells. Apart from this, steps have been taken to install additional stationary tanks for defective streets and erection of additional filling points have also been taken up to streamline and quicken mobile water supply. In about 100 locations where the urban poor live, bore wells with pumping arrangements and storage tanks are being provided for supplying water for non-drinking purposes.

4. TRANSPORTATION OF WATER FROM DISTANT SOURCES BY ROAD:

4.1. TRANSPORTATION OF WATER FROM NEYVELI:

Ground water drawn from Neyveli to tide over the present water scarcity.

462 water lorries hired making about 550 trips a day.

The transportation of water commenced on 18.6.2001.

Total quantity of 292.63 million litres of water transported till 21.8.2001.

4.2. TRANSPORTATION OF GROUND WATER FROM LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY:

Ground Water transported from locations around the city viz., Kannigaiper, Valliyur, , , Mamandur etc. by purchasing water from private agricultural wells.

The transportation of water commenced on 28.6.2001.

Total quantity of 398.03 million litres of water transported till 21.8.2001,

4.3. TRANSPORTATION OF WATER FROM K.P.CANAL (KARAGAMBAKKAM)

Water released from the Kandaleru Reservoir in Andhra Pradesh on 2.7.2001 and reached Zero Point on 18.7.2001 at the rate of about 3 cusecs.

To avoid evaporation and seepage losses water transported through tankers by road.

To facilitate transportation by Road the PWD authorities built a bund at Karagambakkam at a distance of about 14.2 Kms. from Zero point.

Filling points provided and pumping arrangements made to pump water to tankers.

An underground sump of capacity 1.00 lakh litres constructed at Kannigaiper and water pumped to the 300 mld Plant at Redhills through the existing 600 mm water pipe line.

These infrastructural facilities created at a cost of Rs. 9.00 Lakhs.

The transportation of water from Karagambakkam (14th km) commenced on 18.7.2001 and 75.95 million litres were received till 21-08-2001..

4.4.TRANSPORTATION OF WATER THROUGH TANKERS FROM - KOLAVAI LAKE FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

Raw water from Chengalpattu - Kolavai Lake transported for Industrial use. Filling points provided to draw water from the lake.

Transportation of water commenced on 09.08.2001.

Till 21-08-2001, 19.79 million litres of water transported to industries.

5.TRANSPORTATION OF WATER BY RAIL:

5.1. Water from the river Cauvery at Mettur:

Water from the river Cauvery transported from Mettur by rail.

Thetransportation of water commenced on 05.07.2001.

A total quantity of 66.20 million litres of water transported till 21-08-2001.

Water decanted at Railway Station and conveyed to the Water Treatment Plant through the existing conduits.

The total expenditure incurred for making pumping arrangements at Mettur is Rs.65.20 lakhs.

5.2. Water from the River Cauvery at Erode

Water from the Cauvery transported by rail from Erode.

Transportation of water by rail commenced on 20.6.2001.

Till 21.08.2001, 46 rakes received and the total quantity received - 66.65 million litres.

6. WATER DRAWN FROM THE AGRICULTURAL WELLS AT WELLFIELDS

The following are the two main sources of water supply to Chennai city

(1) surface water from sources like Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills lakes and partly from and the water received from Andhra pradesh; and (2) ground water sources from six well fields namely Poondi, Tamaraipakkam, Flood Plains, Kannigaiper, Panjetty and Minjur. The ground water extracted from well fields is supplied to the industries at Manali area and partly to City. The yield from these wells started dwindling due to poor rain fall during the year 2000 and there was no recharge in the Aquifer. Hence to augment the city water supply and to tide over the water crisis, it was decided to hire 186 Nos. of private agricultural wells available in the well fields. The private Agricultural wells in Kilanoor, Magaral, Tamaraipakkam, Kannigaiper, Panjetty and Flood Plains which are located close to the pipeline system or Booster stations were identified and connected to the Metrowater Pipeline system. 110 mm PVC lines were laid to connect the wells with either the existing booster station or newly constructed sumps for transmission of water through the pipe lines. Water is pumped by utilising existing private pumps through these pipelines for about 18 hours a day to convey about 0.4 million litres. of water per well. The agriculturists are paid Rs.26/- per hour per well for pumping water. Out of the proposed 186 wells, 170 wells have already been connected with the existing Metrowater Transmission system.

The total estimated cost of hiring these 186 agricultural well is Rs.843.26 lakhs including the cost of civil works, hiring charges and current consumption charges. Identification of further wells for hiring is also under progress for drawing additional water. As and when more wells are identified it would be connected to the system.

7 PRESENT WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION IN THE CITY

In view of the poor storage in the lakes, the water is mainly distributed through mobile water tankers to the public and the water supply through pipes have been considerably reduced.

7.1. Mobile Water Supply: Mobile water supply is maintained at about 7,700 trips per day for filling 9184 tanks and also by street supply for the benefit of 35 lakhs population at an average rate of 20 litres per capita per day and total quantity of 70 million litres daily is supplied through mobile water supply.

7.2. Additional Filling Points: Prior to this year, filling points were available only at 9 locations viz. (1) Anna Poonga, (2) Southern Head works (3) Kilpauk, (4) K.K.Nagar, (5) , (6) , (7) Muthimizl Nagar, (8) M.K.B.Nagar (9) . With a view to cope with the increased fleet strength of tankers and increased demand for mobile water supply, new Filling Stations have been commissioned in 8 locations i.e. at Patel Nagar, Kolathur, , Kannappar Thidal, - , and Ekkattuthangal during this year.

7.3. Installation of additional stationery tanks:

The Hon'ble Chief Minister instructed Metrowater to install 2000 Nos. of additional stationary tanks in defective streets to provide water to the public. So far 809 tanks have been installed additionally, making a total of 9184 tanks. Installation of further tanks are in progress.

7.4. Hiring of additional lorries:

To streamline the mobile supply within the City, the existing fleet of tankers has been augmented by 152 Mini lorries and 149 tractors. Apart from this, there are 462 lorries carrying water from Neyveli and 396 Lorries carrying water for the city from locations like Mamandur, Palur, Poonamallee etc.

7.5. Erection of bore-wells with pumping arrangements and stationary tanks to supply water to Slums

While every effort has been made to satisfy the water supply needs of Chennai, another scheme has been evolved to take care of the non-potable water needs of slum dwellers. This envisages construction of 100 deep borewells and connecting them to HDPE tanks for filling water by electrical motors. Public fountains have been provided to facilitate drawal of water. The estimated cost is Rs. 76 lakhs. Of the 100 wells, 37 wells have already been constructed and put to use. Work on the remaining wells would be completed before 25-08-2001. By this, about 50000 families would benefit.

8. LONG TERM MEASURES:

Chennai city has been facing water scarcity at frequent intervals and on all the occasions, Metrowater has been taking appropriate steps to mitigate the scarcity and satisfy the water needs of Chennai. But, putting into execution a long term permanent solution has been the utmost concern of the CMWSSB and in this regard the following measures have been contemplated for execution in accordance with the directions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister

8.1. Reverse Osmosis Plant to treat brackish water Metrowater has taken a considered decision to focus on fishermen's colonies and aggregations peopled by the economically disadvantaged groups. Since these areas are located close to the sea and suffer from lack of potable water, resulting in major health related problems, a conscious decision has been taken to locate a number of Reverse Osmosis Plants to help these groups.

As a part of this programme a beginning has been made situating two Reverse Osmosis Plants one at Ayodhya kuppam and another at Kasimedu kuppam in .

Work on the installation of Reverse Osmosis Plants of 0.1 mld capacity each at Ayodhyakuppam and Royapuram have commenced for treating brackish water and supply of good quality water to the people. The work on these two plants would be completed by September 2001.

8.2. Chennai Water Supply Augmentation Project - I

The Chennai Water Supply Augmentation Project enables the drawal of water from and the distribution of about 180 million litres daily of treated water to the city. This project would be executed within two years. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 720.00 crores as approved by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.105, dated 9.08.2001. The project is proposed to be funded partly by the Government and partly by the National Financial Institutions. Action for calling of tenders are being taken and negotiations with funding agencies have also commenced. By the execution of the above project, the irrigation requirements for the ayacut area of Verernam Lake would not be affected.

8.3. Chennai Water Supply Augmentation Project - II

To prevent rain water running off into the sea by constructing check dams, reservoirs, percolation tanks etc., to store surplus water in Koratalaiyar, Cooum, Adyar and Palar rivers. The Chennai Water Supply Augmentation Project II aims at the construction of Checkdams. The project is estimated to cost around Rs. 493 crores. Detailed proposals would be prepared and the project is to be posed for funding to International Financial Institutions. This project will include:-

Construction of reservoirs at Tirukkandalam, Zamin , Tiruneermalai and

Construction of Checkdams across rivers Koratalaiyar, Cooum, Adyar and Palar

Augmentation of storage capacity in Redhills, Lake, , Lake and Rettai Eri.

8.4. In addition, to find out a permanent solution to the recurring water problem in Chennai, all projects for drawal of water from river Cauvery will be taken up for investigation immediately. These include the Pallipalayam open canal project, Pallipalayam closed conduit project, drawal of water from Mettur through pipes and drawal of surface water from Tiruchirappalli upstream of Grand Anicut.

9. Identification of additional water sources

9.1. Araniar-Kortaliyar River Basin Ground Water Potential Reassessment Study:

Ground water potential in the Arani Koratalaiyar River Basin would be assessed by conducting a detailed study and extraction of water from this source would be based on the recommendations of the study.

9.2. Water Conservation measures 9.2.1. Leak Detection and rectification of works for unaccounted flow of water:

For tackling systemic losses, a Leak Detection and Rectification programme was taken up in various phases. The programme is being funded by the World Bank. So far three phases have been completed covering nearly 35000 House Service connections. In Phase IVA, Phase IVB and Phase V, it is programmed to cover 1,70,000 House service connections before December 2001. As of now 1,30,926 House Service connections have been completed (78%).

9.2.2. REFUSE TO RESOURCE - WASTE WATER REUSE

The concept of reuse of treated waste water was initiated by Metrowater for the benefit of industries in order to meet their demands. The industries then put up their own tertiary treatment plants to treat the secondary treated sewage supplied by Metrowater from the Sewage Treatment Plant. The total capacity of the plants put up by the industries is 30 million litres daily. Currently CMWSSB is supplying about 23 million litres daily of treated sewage (with BOD 50 mg/1 and SS-70 mg/1) to industries. Usage of raw sewage was also initiated by CMWSSB and around 7 Million Litres Daily of raw sewage is being supplied for use in a power plant of one of the industries situated in Chennai city. The Petrochemical park and Port are coming up in Chennai in addition to a couple of other power plants. These industries are expected to come into operation within the next 3-4 years and their demand for water is expected to be about 50mld. In order to meet the above demand, Metrowater is planning to put up a tertiary treatment plant with Reverse Osmosis Process of 50mld capacity to treat the secondary treated sewage and make the same available for being reused in these industries.

9.2.3. Rain water Harvesting and Recharging of Ground Water:

Rainwater harvesting measures were first initiated during 1994 and are being continued. Many type designs have been developed for implementing these in independent houses and multi-storied buildings. Besides creating awareness, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board in association with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has also initiated certain regulatory measures to conserve water. While building plan permissions are given, provisions for rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory.

9.2.3.1. Initiatives Of Metrowater In Promoting Rainwater Harvesting

Considering the importance of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) in conserving ground water, the Board has taken the initiative to constitute a fully dedicated `Rainwater Harvesting Cell'. The Cell is currently headed by the Executive Director assisted by the Senior Hydrogeologist of CMWSSB as Convenor together with other supporting staff. The main objective of the Cell is to create awareness and to offer technical assistance free of cost to the residents to select and implement suitable cost-effective methods of Rain Water Harvesting in their premises voluntarily.

Broad objectives to which this Cell would work and dedicate would interalia cover the following.

(i) To create public awareness on the importance of Rainwater Harvesting;

(ii) To popularise the harvesting methods among the public;

(iii) To offer technical guidance and assistance based on the Geological formations;

(iv) To monitor the water table and water quality in the rain water harvested areas and wells; (V) To assure proper maintenance of the harvesting structures after installation;

To do and undertake anything which would promote "Rainwater Harvesting" both in individual houses and in public places.

ACTIVITIES OF THE RAIN WATER HARVESTING CELL i).

Creating public awareness

In order to popularise the importance of Rainwater Harvesting and various methods of Rain Water Harvesting wide publicity has been given through the Press, AIR, and TV.

(2) More than ten deliberations on Rain Water Harvesting have been arranged with various social welfare organisations, NGOs and other voluntary institutions to promote Rainwater Harvesting

(3) Programmes on Rainwater Harvesting on All Radio have also been arranged ii) Lecture/Training Programmes

Lecture/Training programmes on Rain Water Harvesting were conducted for various Government Departments/Organisations, Educational Institutions and Non Governmental Organisations.

Regular training programmes are being conducted at the Metrowater Resource Centre for the benefit of the public, private engineers and building workers. iii) Offering technical guidance to the public/private organisations:

After the constitution of the Rain Water Harvesting Cell, enquiries have been received from individual house owners, Apartments and Commercial Complexes, Schools, Industries and from the Government Agencies requesting technical guidance for installing Rain Water Harvesting structures, and these are being attended to. iv) Installation of Rain Water Harvesting structures in public places (as models)

Metrowater shall make a concerted effort to install rain water harvesting devices in all its buildings and other Government Buildings. Further, continuing its efforts to popularise rain water harvesting among the citizens, massive awareness campaigns to disseminate information on appropriate rainwater harvesting structured has been undertaken. CMWSSB has initiated a vigorous campaign along with TWAD Board, through training, free technical advise and community participation. A "Rainwater Harvesting Information Centre" has also been inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister for Local Admn. and Water Supply Dept. on 31.7.2001 at the TWAD Board Head office at Kamarajar Salai, , Chennai-5.

10. DEVELOPMENT WORKS ACCORDING TO THE MASTER PLAN

WATER SUPPLY

10.1.1.The Master Plan for water supply and sewerage `envisages optimum usage of existing infrastructure and carrying out of improvements to the water supply to draw, treat and distribute additional water flows contemplated from the Krishna river and to rectify the systemic distortions such as inequitable distribution, low pressure, leakage and other losses.

10.1.2. Most of the works envisaged in the Master Plan for water supply were completed and the remaining works are under progress with World Bank assistance under the Second Chennai Project and would be completed by 2003-2004.

SEWERAGE:

The Sewerage works contemplated in the Master Plan envisage the strengthening of the existing sewerage system, sewering the unsewered areas and working improvements to and construction of new pumping stations and the strengthening of force mains. About 50% of the work has been completed. The remaining works in this sector have been planned to be implemented under the Chennai City River Conservation Project and are under progress.

11. THE DETAILS OF WORKS UNDER PROGRESS:

11.1 WATER SUPPLY:

Under the Second Chennai Project, the works on the New Water Distribution Stations, Clear Water Transmission Mains, and Strengthening the Water distribution Net work are under progress and all the works would be completed by June 2002.

11.1.2. Consultancy Projects

A. Twinning Arrangement Consultancy: : Absorbing the best practices followed in well-run water utilities elsewhere will help further improve the quality of service by Metrowater. With a view to achieve this, the Twinning Arrangement consultancy work has been taken up. The diagnostic phase of the work has been completed and based on the recommendations of the diagnostic study, the implementation phase has commenced.

B. Arani Koratalaiyar Study: To assess the ground water potential in the Arani Korataliyar River Basin, a consultancy work is expected to be awarded shortly.

C. Information System and Technology Planning:

Metrowater proposes to implement online computerisation covering all the functions of the Board. The consultant for the Twinning Arrangement has to help and advice the CMWSS Board to implement this project. As part of this, a Pilot project has been taken up for implementation in the current year.

12. 530 MLD CHEMBARAMBAKKAM WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT A COST OF RS.135 CRORES

Proposals for the construction of a water treatment plant at Chembarambakkam with a capacity of 530 Million Litres Daily to treat the water to be received, from Andhra Pradesh was formulated with French assistance. The budgeted out lay for the current year is Rs.15 Crores.

13. CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT

CMWSS Board has conceived a comprehensive project for "Interception, Diversion and Treatment of sewage" under the umbrella "Chennai City River Conservation Project". Besides the CMWSS Board, the project would be executed by the State PWD, State Slum Clearance Board, Chennai Municipal Corporation and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The total project cost is Rs. 1700 crores. The estimated cost of the component of the work to be executed by CMWSS Board is Rs. 720.15 crores. Government of India have sanctioned a grant of Rs. 491.52 crores and the balance 228.63 crores would be funded by CMWSS Board. The following are the components and implementing agencies of the project..

Sl.No. Component Cost Implementing Agency (Rs. in crores)

1 Desilting and 236.90 Public Works removal of sand bars Department in Cooum and Adyar Rivers

2 Rehabilitation and 613.50 TaTlTamil Nadu resettlement of slum Slum ClaeClearance dwellers living on the Board banks of waterways,

3 Prevention of 720.15 CMWSSB untreated sewage from reaching water ways.

4 Micro drainage / 109.25 Chennai Municipal storm water drainage Corporation works

5 Project formulation, 20.20 Chennai monitoring , Metropolitan coordination and Development management. Authority

Total 1700.00

14. METROWATER'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

14.1. Looking ahead, Metrowater envisages working on a Master Plan and a strategy which will encompass water of various qualities so as to put in place a series of procedures by which both proximate and distant sources of water will be put into a comprehensive system which can ensure, on a sustained basis, the minimum availability of potable water at all times.

14.2. As part of this vision for the future, Metrowater is looking at a time frame extending to the year 2010 and any further programme will result in additionalities to the per capita availability of water. A series of options will be worked upon and a new Master Plan will be put in place for a permanent solution to the recurring water scarcity in Chennai City. This will involve having a close look at the various types of development taking place in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and its surroundings so that spatial development is encouraged. Locational development will be closely monitored and the thrust would be on developing a comprehensive grid system on the periphery of the Metropolitan Area for moving water without using roads and tankers.

14.3.There will be an emphasis on the use of the latest available technology for the efficient management of waste water and the over all aim of the organisation would be to provide more water to the citizens at an affordable cost.

14.4 This will involve the technical upgradation of Water Treatment and its re-use. The organisation would continue to improve its efforts in the delivery of services to the common man.

14.5 In conclusion, it is to be stated that as Chennai in a major city with a severe drinking water problem, Metrowater would like to set the highest standards for efficient management