Siruvani dam loses 10 MLD of water due to seepage

COIMBATORE: Siruvani reservoir loses at least 10 million litres per day (MLD) of water due to the delay in finding a way to arrest the seepage on the dam. Experts from the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) were roped in for the purpose and were paid more than Rs 17.5 lakhs for the same almost a year ago. However, CWPRS has delayed finalising the methodology to arrest the seepage.

Though the city corporation claims to have sufficient water storage in the reservoirs ahead of summer, the drawal of water from Siruvani dam is restricted. As of Monday, the water level at Siruvani dam was at 27.06 feet against its full capacity of 49.53 feet. The total drawal of water from the dam for the district was at 63.44 MLD.

Corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said, “The demand is 100 MLD, but we have been drawing only 60-65 MLD. Also, the dam’s level is restricted concerning its safety. We have been constantly pushing the CWPRS officials to finalize the technology so that a detailed project report can be submitted along with the estimate for fund sanction. If they do so, we could present the project in the upcoming local budget.”

The dam’s allowable seepage level has gradually increased due to the enlargement of holes, resulting in excessive water loss. As a result, about 10 MLD of water is being lost every day, and the dam’s storage is restricted at 44.61 feet against its full capacity of 49.53 feet considering its safety.

In 2024, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board and the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation jointly roped in the Pune-based CWPRS. The CWPRS suggested two technologies, one of which is the installation of a geomembrane material and the other is a pressure grouting method. In September 2024, the corporation paid CWPRS for the finalisation of technology. It has not been finalised even after one and a half years after that.