15 areas of Chennai record marginal dip in groundwater table

CHENNAI: The groundwater table in 15 areas of Chennai recorded a marginal dip in the month of Jan compared to Dec-Jan last year.

According to Metrowater, Madhavaram witnessed the steepest decline of 1.37 metres, followed by Kodambakkam with a dip of 1.1 metres.

Both Ambattur and Teynampet recorded dips of 0.88 metres each, while Tiruvottiyur and Royapuram saw the lowest reductions at 0.22 metres and 0.29 metres respectively. The average reduction for all areas stood at 0.68 metres.

Compared to Jan 2024, this year’s groundwater table dip was only 0.3 metre, according to officials. They assured that the minor decline would not significantly impact groundwater availability for residents relying on it.

As of Tuesday, Metrowater supplied 1,095 million litres of piped water daily (MLD) to consumers, 51 MLD more than the same period last year.

The combined water storage in the six reservoirs, including the Veeranam lake in Cuddalore, stood at 11,374 million cubic feet (mcft). With comfortable reservoir levels, authorities have reduced water procurement from the Nemmeli desalination plant, currently sourcing only 37.05 MLD from the unit. Last year during the corresponding period, the Metrowater was drawing 80 MLD from this Nemmeli plant. Meanwhile, the 150 MLD desalination plant is supplying 105 MLD, distributed to core and added areas in South Chennai.

Regarding the Minjur desalination plant, a senior official said operational issues with the contractor, rendering the unit inactive for the past three months. Efforts are under way to issue a fresh tender to restart operations, the official added.

Private borewell operator I Annadurai said there are almost no calls from existing house-owners for new borewells. He said only the new houses are asking for borewells.