Chembarambakkam reservoir. File
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
In another step towards equitable water distribution, preliminary work has begun on the ambitious looped ring main network in Chennai. The project aims to connect all water sources with their distribution points to ensure an equitable and uninterrupted water supply.Chennai Metrowater recently awarded the project to VA Tech Wabag, a multinational firm offering water and wastewater solutions, to ensure a uniform and reliable drinking water supply even if one water source fails, officials said.The Asian Development Bank-funded programme aims to construct 92-km-long large-diameter ring main pipelines, which will form a closed circular loop linking the entire water distribution network with the water sources. It will convey water to the 84 major water distribution stations through transmission main lines branching out from the ring main.The circular pipeline for the city has been designed to handle a flow of 1,762 million litres of water a day (MLD), which is the projected water demand for 2057. Some of the water distribution points to be integrated include those at Chembarambakkam, Akkarai, Kilpauk, Madhavaram, and Puzhal.Sources in VA Tech Wabag said field investigations and coordination efforts with other stakeholders to obtain clearances are nearing completion. The interconnected system will be capable of supplying water from any treatment plant to any water distribution station in any part of Chennai.Benefits of the systemThe looped network would maintain stable water pressure in the pipelines, helping prevent sewage from entering through cracks or leaks. Since the system operates as a closed, continuously pressurised network, the risk of external contamination and water wastage would be reduced. Water quality would be monitored regularly to ensure a safe drinking water supply.Besides installing flow control and air valves across the network and replacing pumps at various distribution points, there are plans to construct seven underground tanks with storage capacities ranging from 0.5 million litres to one million litres, sources said.VA Tech Wabag would also be required to establish a comprehensive SCADA-based automated monitoring system for remote operation of the network, detect leaks, and manage water pressure. Flow control valves and meters at each tapping point would help regulate water supply based on demand.The digital monitoring system would ensure that no area faces shortage and regulate supply across the city depending on water availability. The project will be implemented over the next three years. Published - June 11, 2026 03:37 pm IST
