Residents of suburban Chitlapakkam near Tambaram have been getting reverse osmosis (RO)-treated drinking water of late as part of a pilot project launched by the town panchayat.
The panchayat has installed reverse osmosis plants, each costing Rs. 6 lakh, in six of the 15 wards in the local body. “More than 2,500 families will benefit from the project,” said executive officer of Chitlapakkam Town Panchayat R. Chandrakumar. Based on its success, it would be extended to other wards also, he said.
“Water drawn from local sources is supplied to the RO plants that have a capacity to purify about 3,000 litres a day. Water is supplied for two hours in the morning and evening.
The initiative has been welcomed by residents. K. Yogeshkumar, a resident of Periyar Road, said several residents spend up to Rs. 400-700 a month on packaged water. He expressed relief at the possibility of saving that money. Further, people can rely on the water supplied by the panchayat unlike bubble top cans.
Panchayat president R. Mohan said, “We discovered that more than 60 per cent of residents depend on packaged drinking water in addition to water supplied through street taps.” Three more units would be set up by May, Mr. Mohan added.
