Metro Water identifies 609 sewer obstruction points

CHENNAI: Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metro Water), as a part of the monsoon management plan, has identified more than 600 streets and roads where chronic sewer obstructions occur resulting in overflowing during the rains.

According to the contingency plan for northeast monsoon, the city has as many as 609 streets and roads with repeated sewage leakage from underground lines.

Apart from listing the vulnerable points of sewage leakage, the Metro Water has also instructed ward level engineers to make rounds in their respective areas to check blockage and to remove them immediately to avoid overflow on the roads.

During the incessant rains due to Nivar, sewage mixed with rainwater posed health threats to residents and affected normal life.

When asked, a Metro Water official said that sewer obstructions and sewage overflow occur during heavy rains as a result of increased flow in the underground lines. “We deployed machines and equipment and attended the sewage overflow issues immediately,” the official added.

Apart from identifying and listing the chronic sewer obstruction spots, the Metro Water has also identified 214 spots as flood-prone areas and instructed engineers to closely monitor them and take suitable action. Of the 292 sewage pumping stations in the city, 87 are located in flood-prone areas.

“Engineers at the wards have been asked to prevent the entry of rainwater into the sewer lines and not allow Corporation or individual residents to let rainwater into the sewer lines,” the official said.

The official added that the contingency plan has been prepared to continue the operations even if the city witnesses heavy rainfall.

Apart from this, the Metro Water has also created QR codes for each area office and depot office in the city so that the residents could get location and contact details of the offices by scanning the code in using smartphones.

Metro Water has also created QR codes for each area office and depot office in the city so that the residents could get location and contact details of the offices by scanning the code in using smartphones