Chennai Metrowater is set to begin partial operations of the Minjur desalination plant, the city’s first desalination plant, in about two months. While the plant has a capacity to treat 100 million litres of seawater a day (mld), the water agency plans to initially produce 20 mld to boost water supply in north Chennai.The plant ceased operations in November 2024 due to issues at the company operating the facility, following which its contract was terminated.A press release said that once the detailed project report is prepared by the Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company Limited, efforts would be taken to operate the plant to its full capacity. Metrowater Managing Director T. Anand, who inspected the plant, instructed the officials to expedite the works.The partial operations would augment water supply in areas falling under Tiruvottiyur, Manali, and Madhavaram zones. Work is in progress to clean the intake sump and other infrastructure to draw seawater. Moreover, reverse osmosis membranes, a crucial component in treatment process, are also being removed. Published - August 07, 2026 12:52 am IST