As summer reaches its peak, Chennai's Metro Water assures that there will be an adequate supply of drinking water

Residents of the city can now breathe a sigh of relief as they won't face drinking water shortages this summer. Despite a surge in water consumption in Chennai, the Metro Water board has ramped up supply to 1,075 million litres per day (MLD) through both pipelines and tanker lorries, marking the highest quantity of drinking water distributed to the city to date. 

The number of tanker lorry trips has also increased from 900 to 1,050 this summer season. With city reservoirs holding ample water, the supply is expected to last until October. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) is ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply to residential areas despite the recent spike in consumption. Beginning in August 2021, the Metro Water board initially supplied 1,000 MLD of water, gradually increasing it to the current 1,075 MLD, the highest quantity of drinking water distributed since the CMWSSB's inception.

With recent increases in consumption, online booking of tanker lorries through Dial for Water has surged by 100 trips per day, rising from 900 to 1,050. Due to a restriction allowing customers to book only once every 5 days, individuals are stockpiling sufficient water to prevent shortages and meet their needs during the summer months. "This isn't an uncommon scenario," remarked a senior CMWSSB official. Previously, 160 MLD of water was sourced from the Veeranam reservoir and distributed to residents in Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, and Adyar zones.