Rain brings respite against heat, but no relief from water crunch
Amid cheers on social media celebrating the arrival of scattering rains across Chennai, the city has got respite from the gruelling heat. But the wait for water continues. The bone dry lakes, temple ponds and water bodies were partially filled, but the water table in the city is yet to see a significant rise.
Incidentally, residents who had taken rainwater harvesting a little seriously enjoyed the instant benefit of the rains, however light. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast that the city may experience showers over the weekend. Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam received 4 cm and 8 cm of rainfall this June due to thunderstorm activity.
To tide over the continuous water crisis in the city, Metrowater has fixed more taps in tankers to dispense water faster. As an alternative to piped water supply, Metrowater has supplied 3.70 MLD (million litres a day) through 335 tankers and 191 tanks.
Source: The Times of India | The Hindu
City to get a fourth desalination plant
The Metrowater has started preliminary work on the fourth desalination plant for the city, which is likely to be ready by 2024. With a capacity of 400 MLD, the new plant is being planned at Perur on ECR close to the Nemmeli plant. The tender process for the new plant is expected to be over by November 2019. The city currently has two operational plants, at Minjur and Nemmeli, each having capacity for treating 100 MLD.
Meanwhile the Chief Minister laid the foundation for a third plant on Thursday which is to be set up near the existing Nemmeli plant. This plant, with a capacity of 150 MLD, will be ready by 2021 and is expected to be able to provde water for nine lakh residents in areas such as Velachery, Alandur, St Thomas Mount, Medavakkam, Sholinganallur and several others, besides the IT companies on OMR . With the addition of the fourth plant, the supply is estimated at 750 MLD which is expected to preempt water crises in the future.
Source: The Times of India
Two lakh houses to get RWH by October end
The Greater Chennai Corporation in association with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has embarked on a project to ensure that at least two lakh houses are fitted with RWH structures by October 30th.
The civic body is emphasizing on low-cost, efficient structures, which will not cost more than Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000. According to data from CMWSSB, there are over 8.9 lakh rainwater harvesting structures in various buildings across the city, but there is no data available on how many of them are maintained and functional. The corporation also plans to train the masons and contractors to implement the plan by October end.
Source: The New Indian Express
City to get one more green landmark
A heritage garden with native species of trees and plants including trees that found mention in Sangam literature will be set up in North Chennai’s Washermanpet area at a cost of Rs 70 lakh. The garden, planned over five acres of land, is expected to become one of the major attractions of the city. A museum on ancient and modern farm equipment will also be part of the garden. It is likely to be open by the year-end.
Source: The Times of India
Aavin specifies 40 points for buy back of used milk covers
The Tamil Nadu Government had exempted Aavin when it announced the ban on single-use plastics. However, in order to prevent the plastic pouches from landing up in garbage, Aavin had announced an initiative to buyback used plastic milk covers from the consumers. Now, the milk board has identified 40 points across the city where Chennaites can give back the used covers. If they are unable to go to these points, they can also give the covers to their milk supply boys, who will also be given an incentive for their efforts.
Aavin supplies over 12 lakh litres of milk daily in Chennai.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]