Metrowater to build ring main pipeline to ensure equitable water supply across Chennai

Chennai CMWSSB to implement Ring Main Pipeline Project for equitable water distribution, funded by State government.

The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will implement a ‘Ring Main Pipeline Project’, connecting all its water sources to ensure equitable distribution across the city. The work is expected to start by June, the agency said.

This was one of the announcements made by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who presented the State Budget for the fiscal 2025-26 in the State Legislative Assembly on Friday. The State government has allotted ₹2,423 crore for the project.

Sources in the CMWSSB said the large circular pipeline, which would form a closed loop, would draw water from different sources and pump it to 11 distribution stations across the city. This would be supplied to consumers through existing transmission lines.

At present, the five water treatment plants and three desalination plants are operated independently and linked to a limited number of distribution stations. Each plant is designed to supply specific areas of the city through separate main pipelines.

For instance, if one of the sources fails to provide water owing to maintenance or low storage, the supply to areas covered by that particular treatment plant will be hit. However, with the implementation of the ring main pipeline, water from different sources can be sent to any locality across the city. Surplus water from one source can offset the shortage in another. The pipeline, with a diameter ranging between 1 m to 1.8 m, will run to a distance of nearly 95 km around the city, sources said. The project will be implemented over the next three years to ensure balanced water supply in the city.

The State government has also allocated ₹6,668 crore for combined water supply schemes, covering seven districts, and will renovate old drinking water supply covered under 102 schemes. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board will implement the works to improve efficiency of the water supply infrastructure.