Residents have used the community wells in Muthamizh Nagar to dump debris over the years.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Chennai Metrowater is set to restore and convert community wells at various locations in the Perambur constituency into rainwater harvesting structures as part of efforts to improve groundwater recharge in the locality.The initiative is aimed at reviving community wells that have not been in use for many years and utilising them for harnessing rainwater, enhancing the groundwater table, and reducing water stagnation during the monsoon.Officials noted that nine community wells, including those on Sidco Nagar First Main Road, in Muthamizh Nagar, and Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar, have been identified for conversion into recharge structures. Most of them are in Muthamizh Nagar, including Muthamizh Nagar Second Street, First Block and 161st Street, Sixth Block.The project aims to safeguard the wells, whose average depth is 10 m to 12 m, and use them as aquifer recharging structures, the officials said. At present, groundwater is available at an average depth of 5 metre below the ground level in these areas.Meanwhile, residents have urged the Metrowater authorities to prioritise desilting and reviving the wells over beautification work around the structures.Drinking water sourcesL.M. Jaiganesh, president of the Muthamizh Nagar Sixth Block Residents’ Welfare Association, recalled that the wells were used as drinking water sources by residents whenever they faced water scarcity in the 1980s and 90s.However, the wells went dry over the years and were often used for dumping debris. Metrowater must prioritise complete desilting of the community wells for better groundwater recharge and to prevent borewells from being sunk deeper, he said.Officials said bids had been invited for the ₹2-crore project and the work order would likely be issued shortly. Similar initiatives would be taken in other areas across the city, they said. Published - September 05, 2026 12:50 am IST
