In a significant boost to Chennai's water infrastructure, a major reservoir in Tiruvallur district is finally being connected to the city's drinking water network, five years after its inauguration. The Kannankottai Thervai Kandigai reservoir, with its substantial storage capacity, is set to become a new source of potable water for the metropolis, addressing long-term supply needs.
From Industrial Use to Drinking Water Supply
The Kannankottai Thervai Kandigai reservoir has a storage capacity of 500 million cubic feet (mcft). However, since its commissioning half a decade ago, its potential has remained largely untapped for the city's residents. A senior Metrowater official confirmed that the facility has primarily served as a source of raw water for industrial purposes until now. Pipelines were initially laid to supply the nearby Sipcot industrial estate.
The current initiative marks a strategic shift, aiming to channel this water resource directly into Chennai's domestic supply chain. This move is part of a broader plan to enhance the city's water security and reduce dependency on fewer sources.
The Pipeline Project: Bridging the Final Gap
The core of the project involves constructing a crucial pipeline link. Authorities are laying a 3.8-kilometer-long pipeline to connect the Kannankottai reservoir with the central Red Hills reservoir. While the actual aerial distance between the two water bodies exceeds 30 kilometers, much of the necessary pipeline infrastructure along the route was already established earlier, foresightedly planned for future drinking water requirements.
The ongoing work, valued at ₹16.73 crore, is focused on closing the remaining gap. This final link is essential to enable the seamless transfer of water into the Red Hills system, which acts as a major distribution hub for Chennai.
Timeline and Expected Impact
Metrowater has set an ambitious timeline for the project. The pipeline work is expected to be completed by mid-February. Following this, regular water transfers are likely to commence from mid-March.
Initially, the water agency plans to draw approximately 15 million litres per day (MLD) from the Kannankottai Kandigai reservoir. This additional supply will be fed into the Red Hills reservoir. Currently, about 340 MLD of water is drawn daily from Red Hills for distribution across Chennai. The new inflow will augment this existing volume, directly benefiting an estimated one lakh residents in the city, providing them with a more reliable and enhanced water supply.
This integration represents a critical step in optimizing Chennai's water resource management, ensuring that a key asset built years ago finally fulfills its potential in quenching the city's thirst.
