Chennai: Metrowater desilted 9.6km of sewer lines and 433 manholes using 218 machines across 227 streets in Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits on Monday. Metrowater monitors sewage pumping levels round-the-clock through an IoT-based system. After rainfall, if pumping levels drop, officials identify the affected stretch and deploy workers to clear blocks. It has deployed 29 sewage suction vehicles hired from other districts in addition to its existing fleet of 580 machines and 173 contract-operated jetting-cum-grabbing vehicles. Further, generators and fuel are kept ready to ensure uninterrupted operations at eight water treatment plants, 143 water distribution stations, 22 sewage treatment plants and 438 sewage pumping stations. Metrowater has also doubled daily drinking water quality testing from 900 to 1,800 samples across GCC’s 15 zones. Residents can report water supply and sewage complaints on the 1916 helpline.
