Latest news with #ChennaiMetrowater
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Metrowater to soon roll out smart water meters in one lakh buildings to promote efficient use
In a shift towards demand side water management, smart water meters will soon be introduced in nearly one lakh buildings across the city to track consumption in real time and promote efficient water use. Chennai Metrowater is set to finalise tender by this month end or early July for the project, which involves installing smart water meters in those buildings, including commercial, partly commercial, industrial and multi-storey apartment buildings identified as water intensive users. Individual houses measuring more than 2,500 too would be covered in the project. With water resources availability strengthened through various initiatives, the water agency has now turned its focus towards demand management and equitable supply. Nearly 13,000 devices have already been fixed in existing buildings. The Rs.392.68 crore project will adhere to water meter policy 2022, aiming to improve cost recovery for water supply and obtain volumetric data on water distributed to consumers. Currently, treating one kilo litre of freshwater costs Rs.8 and production cost of desalinated water stands at Rs.46. Anand, a resident of Anna Nagar said, 'The water metering system will be efficient and help control overuse in areas that have sufficient piped water supply. Water distribution infrastructure must also be improved for a lasting impact.' Officials noted that the water agency is finalising the tender that received bids from across the country. The project aims to fix smart water meters integrated with IoT technology for communication and billing system under the Hybrid Annuit Model (HAM). Under HAM- a public private partnership model on the lines of Adyar river restoration project- the State government will contribute a portion of project cost during implementation. 'It is the responsibility of the concessionaire to fix smart water meters, undertake meter reading and maintain the meters for 15 years. The smart meters, equipped with advanced interface, will transmit real-time data on water usage to support billing and monitor consumption,' said an official. Sekhar Raghavan, Rain Centre's director, said water metering is essential for judicious use of water and promote rainwater harvesting. 'People will tap shallow groundwater table to reduce water bills. This will create more space for harnessing rainwater and reduce waterlogging,' he said. Sources noted that this was one of the development link indicators of the World Bank programme to improve operational efficiency of water supply. It was one of the announcements made during the 2024-25 budget demand. Preparation of detailed project report, field study, and the wait for advanced smart water meters had slowed down the implementation process. Metrowater now serves nearly 17 lakh consumers, and the metering policy aims to cover 80% of domestic connections by 2027.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Krishna water supply to Chennai to continue until onset of Northeast monsoon, securing reliable drinking water source
The supply of Krishna water to Chennai is likely to continue till the onset of Northeast monsoon in October. This will ensure a steady and reliable drinking water distribution to the city this year. In the past fortnight, the Poondi reservoir, city's prime drinking water storage point, received around 800 million cubic feet (mcft) of Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh, increasing its storage to nearly 49%. The Water Resources Department has suspended the release of water to other city reservoirs to step up Poondi reservoir's storage. Among the city reservoirs, the one at Red Hills has been filled up to 87% of its storage capacity. Water would be transferred to other waterbodies, depending on the need. At present, the five reservoirs, which are vital sources of drinking water to Chennai, have a combined storage of 6,923 mcft. This is nearly 59% of their total storage capacity. Yet, officials point out that the reservoirs have an additional storage of about 1,600 mcft compared to the same day last year. Water discharge from Kandaleru reservoir has been increased to 2,180 cubic feet per second (cusecs) to enable better inflow into reservoirs here. 'We are expecting the inflow into the entry point of Kandaleru Poondi canal to rise to 500 cusecs in a few days. Andhra Pradesh authorities have assured us of water supply for a few more months,' a WRD official said. Chennai has received nearly 2,796 mcft of Krishna water in two spells since September last year. The department expects to receive another 2,000 mcft by July-end to boost the reservoirs' storage. 'We have stepped up vigilance along the K.P. canal to check illegal withdrawal of water from the canal. Most of the instances of water theft have been curbed. We also inform Andhra Pradesh authorities of any such incidents in their jurisdiction,' the official said. The reservoirs contribute a major share of the city's drinking water supply with 745 million litres of water a day. Chennai Metrowater now provides nearly 1,045 mld through piped network and tankers.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Metrowater to launch smart water ATMs at 50 key locations like Marina in a few days
To improve access to clean drinking water, Chennai Metrowater will launch smart water ATMs at 50 key locations across the city in a few days. The water ATMs, which are equipped with IoT based technology, are being installed at key public gathering points to dispense drinking water free of cost during the first phase. Some of the areas chosen for the water ATMs include Santhome, Marina beach, Foreshore Estate, Perambur, Pondy Bazaar, Anna Nagar and Kodambakkam. Officials of the Metrowater noted that the Rs.5 crore project aimed at ensuring better access to clean drinking water in high-footfall places like railway stations and parks. These automated water dispensing units integrated with reverse osmosis and ultra filtration systems will allow users to fill one-litre bottles or 150 ml containers. They have a storage capacity varying from 3,000 litres to 9,000 litres. When the water level in the smart water ATMs reduces drop, Metrowater engineers in the respective localities will receive alerts about refills. These units are supplied with water through pipelines, street tanks or tankers depending on the location and availability, said officials. The water agency is yet to decide on operating the ATMs round the clock. 'We are also installing surveillance cameras near the units to monitor safety and timely repair for uninterrupted service,' said an official. The project is likely to be expanded to more places depending on the people's response.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Metrowater to roll out one lakh smart meters for consumers soon
Chennai: Metrowater is finally set to roll out smart water meters for its consumers, with preparations underway to issue the work order that will allow the selected contractor to begin installations for the long-pending project. In the first phase, one lakh smart meters will be installed, targeting houses and flats measuring more than 2,500 square feet. Other consumers will gradually be brought under the system in subsequent phases. Currently, Metrowater operates with 1,200 mechanised meters, which present practical difficulties in reading data—especially when property owners are away from home for extended periods. Additionally, households without meters are charged a flat rate of just 80, regardless of consumption. This has created two major challenges: unquantified water usage in large complexes and significant revenue losses due to undercharging. Both issues are expected to be addressed with the implementation of smart meters, which will provide precise consumption data. "Smart meters will bring multiple benefits, including improved equity and adequacy in water distribution across the city. The digital nature of the meters ensures accurate billing and encourages accountability among users—empowering them with insights into their usage and helping detect leaks or wastage promptly," said a senior Metrowater official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo The initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernise infrastructure and improve public utility services. Officials are optimistic that the move will not only streamline operations but also promote better conservation and sustainable use of water resources over time. Chennai Metrowater currently supplies around 1,100 million litres of water daily to its consumers, up from 1,011 million litres on the same day last year, according to available data.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Key water treatment plants in Red Hills and Surapet set for major upgrades
The water treatment plant in Red Hills, key supplier for Chennai, is set to be revamped with enhanced treatment capacity. Chennai Metrowater will call for bids this month to expand the treatment capacity of Surapet plant too. After nearly 29 years since it was constructed with a capacity to treat 300 million litres a day, the water treatment plant in Red Hills would be renovated. Chennai Metrowater would float tenders this month for the ₹430.12-crore project that would be executed in public-private partnership mode. The plant, which was built adjacent to the Red Hills reservoir on an extent of 26 hectares, holds significance as it treats and supplies water to north, central and southern parts of the city. It supplied water to parts of north Chennai to offset the gap caused by drop in desalinated water supply from Minjur. Water is sent to various distribution stations in Kolathur, Valluvar Kottam, and to Ambattur and Avadi. Officials of Metrowater said the project would help increase the production from the existing 240 mld to 310 mld. While the existing treatment technology would be continued, all electro-mechanical equipment, filter media in gravity sand filters would be replaced along with renovation of civil structures. A clear water reservoir would be created to store treated water before distribution. A new intake tower to draw up to 390 mld from the Red Hills reservoir would be built by the Water Resources Department. The project would be completed in two years, officials said. On the overhauling of the Red Hills plant in 2013, officials noted that a portion of the works was carried out then, including replacement of filter media in filter beds and electrical panels in pretreatment units of plant. The 14 mld-capacity water treatment plant in Surapet would be revamped with an increased treatment capacity of 47 mld. It was originally constructed by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board in 1965 and was taken over by Metrowater in 2009 to cater to urban demand. Once completed within two years, the plant would cater to areas like Shanmugapuram in Madhavaram zone and parts of Ambattur zone, including Kallikuppam, HVF, Avadi and 12 more bulk water consumers, officials said. While welcoming the move to renovate the treatment facilities, water conservation activists stressed that prevention of pollution at water source must be prioritised along with treatment upgrades. founder, Social Work Team Trust (SWOTT), based in Red Hills, said, 'It is imperative to improve water treatment facilities to ensure safe drinking water to Chennaiites. But the authorities concerned must also prioritise arresting pollution in Red Hills reservoir. The lake is vulnerable to raw sewage and solid waste in places like Padianallur, Thirumullaivoyal and Surapet.'
