Reservoirs 80% full; enough for 10 months

Chennai: The reservoirs supplying Chennai currently hold 10,620 million cubic feet (mcft) of water, which is 80% of their total capacity of 13,222mcft. According to Metrowater officials, this is enough to meet the city's water needs for the next 10 months. The current water storage is significantly better than last year when the combined reservoir levels stood at 8,931mcft, which is approximately 16% lower compared to this year.

Poondi reservoir is holding a substantial portion (2,832mcft) of its total capacity, while Cholavaram remains at a much lower level (139mcft). Red Hills has stored a significant amount of water (2,930mcft), nearing its full capacity, and Kannankottai Thervaikandigai (438mcft) is also well-stocked. Chembarambakkam (3,337mcft), one of the major reservoirs supplying Chennai, has a healthy reserve, ensuring a stable supply for the city.

Meanwhile, the Veeranam tank itself holds 913mcft out of a total capacity of 1,465mcft. Last week, a 22-year-old pipeline carrying water from the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district burst near Puduppakkam, Kelambakkam. Repairs were delayed due to a temple function but were completed on Monday. During this period, Metrowater had to temporarily reduce the supply to the city from 1,100 million litres per day (MLD) to 950 MLD. With the repairs finished, the normal supply of 1,100MLD resumed on Tuesday.

In addition to these reservoirs, water stored in the quarries at Sikkarayapuram and Erumaiyur is available as a backup.

Last year, 20MLD was drawn from these quarries daily, but so far this year, this extra supply has not been needed.

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