Water Resource Planning And Implementation For Chennai Metro Using GIS

Abstract Rapid urbanization throughout the world leads to pressure on infrastructure development for planners. The provision of clean water, treatment and disposal of wastewater has become a challenge to water resources and environmental engineers. It is perceived that new approaches will reduce the water stress and can contribute markedly to improve the availability of water. Chennai city, one of the major metropolises of India, is situated at the northern coastal edge of the State of Tamil Nadu. The city is more well-known by its older name of Madras. Currently, Chennai is inhabited by more than 7 million people in an area of 176 sq km. Water supply for this population is maintained by tapping a combination of surface storage reservoirs and aquifers. An decentralised approach is called for where powers are devolved to local institutions and where co-ordination among the state, private sector and civil society are ensured for evolving water supply options in urban India. For this, the State should decentralise the water sector to facilitate participation and inter-sectoral co-ordination, develop and operate water supply that is more responsive to the needs of the users and to engender a sense of ownership. Essentially our study indicates the opportunity for creating additional storages, making use of the available tank storages, additional water treatment plants with its location, to utilize the Telugu Ganga Water, Veeranam water and Palar waters within Chennai Metropolitan Area suitably. Various technical investigations essential for planning water resources development activities for Chennai Metropolitan Area are indicated. This will serve as the starting point for the long term development of water management policies for this area.