CHENNAI: The five reservoirs supplying water to Chennai have gained close to one thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water in 10 days, taking their combined storage to 4.83 tmcft on October 25, as the ongoing northeast monsoon brings fresh inflows into the city’s waterbodies.
According to Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metro Water) data, the combined storage of Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills, Chembarambakkam and Kannankottai-Thervoykandigai reservoirs increased from 3,959 million cubic feet (mcft) on October 15 to 4,827 mcft on October 25, a net gain of 868 mcft.
Red Hills recorded the biggest increase, with its storage rising by 539 mcft to 2,415 mcft, or 73.18% of its capacity. Chembarambakkam followed, gaining 174 mcft to reach 1,493 mcft, accounting for 40.96% of its capacity. Poondi’s storage increased by 113 mcft to 525 mcft, while Cholavaram gained 24 mcft to reach 144 mcft. Thervoykandigai recorded a smaller increase of 18 mcft, taking its storage to 250 mcft, or 50% of its capacity.
As of October 25, the latest inflows stood at 440 cusecs at Poondi, 10 cusecs at Cholavaram, 230 cusecs at Red Hills, 150 cusecs at Chembarambakkam and 40 cusecs at Thervoykandigai. The five reservoirs together have a full capacity of 11,757 mcft and were holding 41.06% of their combined capacity on October 25.
Meanwhile, the Metro Water has undertaken work to ensure the proper maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures in 81 residential, commercial and other buildings across zones 1 to 15.
Maintenance undertaken
Metro Water has undertaken work to ensure the proper maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures in 81 residential, commercial and other buildings across GCC zones. The initiative follows a state-wide campaign launched on October 21 to encourage the public to maintain rainwater harvesting structures.