With the Veeranam tank reaching capacity, the city has started receiving 180 million litres per day (mld) for its drinking water needs.
According to Metrowater officials, they withdrew 135 mld of water on Friday from the tank, located in Cuddalore district, about 225 km from the city. A 230-km-long pipeline brings the water to the city.
On Saturday, they stepped up the withdrawal to 180 mld, the maximum capacity, and it would continue till the onset of the northeast monsoon in mid-October, officials said.
With Veeranam lending a helping hand, Metrowater has reduced its offftake from Poondi, Chembarambakkam, Red Hills and Cholavaram lakes for the city’s water supply for now. At present, city residents get only 650 mld as against the requirement of 830 mld.
“The four lakes around Chennai have just 3.5 tmc of water. They cannot supply water to meet the requirement of city residents. We are getting 200 mld from desalination plants in Nemmili and Minjur,” said a Metrowater official.
The Chembarambakkam lake supplies just 80 mld for the city now. Water supply from the Veeranam tank is expected to be a key source for Chennai until the onset of the north east monsoon.
“The city received 120 to 170 mld from agricultural wells in Tiruvallur during the last drought. Now, we are not getting water from such sources,” said an official.
Water from the Porur lake has also not been tapped for now.
The lake supplied 4 mld last year. Stone quarries which supplied 80 mld have also not been tapped till now.
Metrowater officials said till the onset of the northeast monsoon, they would continue with alternate day supply.
“The State government will take a decision in October after studying the storage position in city reservoirs. After the onset of the north east monsoon, water supply may resume on a daily basis for residents,” said an official.