Recycling sewage, the only resort for Chennai
Poor show of north-east monsoon and dry summers have become the new order in Chennai. As water scarcity turns out to be a burning problem, researchers from Anna University’s Geology department feel that recycling sewage water could be an effective and viable solution.
According to ‘Predicting future water supply-demand gap with a new reservoir, desalination plant and waste water reuse by water evaluation and planning model for Chennai Mega City’ published in Elsevier’s Groundwater for Sustainable Development in October 2018, the city’s water woes can be solved by next year through recycling sewage water. Researchers say 50 percent of the water needs projected for 2050 could be met this way.
Meanwhile, in the wake of a failed monsoon, Chennai Metrowater has also turned the focus on tertiary treated water, following an IIT-Madras model of using reclaimed water. The agency called for bids to construct tertiary treatment plants in Nesapakkam and Perungudi, and release the recycled waste water into the Porur and Perungudi lakes, which are major sources of water supply for Chennai city.
Metrowater also has plans to construct on-site treatment plants in Retteri, Ayanambakkam and Perumbakkam
Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu
Ban on biscuit covers soon
The plastic ban in effect in the city from the start of the year has been all over news. Greater Chennai Corporation that seized over 30 tonnes of plastic from the city will be using it to lay roads.
In a latest development, Environment Minister K C Karuppannan told the assembly that the state government will extend the ban to packaged products such as biscuit covers and other eatables, including those manufactured and sold by multinational companies. The Minister said that a message of intimation would soon be sent to the traders who manufacture plastic material for packaging. The current ban covers 16 varieties of plastic.
Source: The Times of India
Illegal vendors at Koyambedu market face closure
Source: The Times of India
All LED streetlights by January end
While many arterial roads in Chennai have been already been fitted with LED streetlights, the ones that remain will also be replaced by the end of the month, if the Chennai Corporation lives up to its commitment. 2 lakh of the 2.77 lakh streetlights of different types in areas under the Corporation have already been replaced by LED lights as part of a Rs 140-crore project. This has reportedly brought down electricity charges incurred by the civic body to Rs 4.5 crore from Rs 6.58 crore (2015).
Source: The Times of India
Submit statistics on religious encroachments: HC
In a landmark move, the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file statistics regarding the encroachment of public land, water bodies and water resources by religious structures.
Stating that a large number of temples were built on public land by land sharks for personal gain, Justice S M Subramaniam, who gave the order, said: “All concerned are bound to follow the rule of law and respect the law for an orderly society and to respect the sentiments of their neighbours and other citizens.” The judge also said that such encroachments cause inconvenience to vehicular traffic.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
[Compiled by Laasya Shekhar]