Cm Inaugurates Degremont Water Treatment Plant at Chembarambakkam

Chennai, July 19, 2007 : Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today inaugurated the Degremont built 530 MLD facility Water Treatment Plant, the second largest in the country at Chembarambakkam this evening. The citizens of Chennai shall now breathe a sigh of relief as its perennial drinking water problem is all set to be solved. This unique Water Treatment Plant designed, built and operated by Degremont for Chennai Metro Water supply and Sewerage Board with funds released under the Indo-French Protocol and Tamilnadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

To meet the rising needs of Chennai's population, the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board placed a contract in May 2005 with the Suez Group's Degrémont company, a world specialist in drinking water plants. The contract was for the design, construction and operation of a drinking water production plant of 530,000 m³/d to meet the needs of nearly 4 million people.

The Plant conceptualized and built by Degremont with a capacity to treat 530 Million Litres of water per day in one seam has the second highest capacity in the country next to the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant at Delhi which is 635 MLD. This project was approved in 1996 at a cost of Rs 296 crore inclusive of pipelines for water distribution and administrative expenses. The construction of the Plant was completed early this year and after a trial run of three months it is now fully operational. Degremont shall operate this plant for the next seven years.

The plant was designed and built in 24 months at a total cost of 25.2 million euros, with 6.6 million euros financed by a French protocol and more than 1.07 billion rupees (18.7 million euros) by the Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation, an Indian government development fund.

The plant is automated and managed using a SCADA system and will use the Aquazur V and Pulsator clarification and filtration techniques developed by Degrémont and which have already proven their worth around the world.

Water will be drawn from the Chembarambakkam lake and supplied to the city without effecting irrigational requirements. Water supply from Chembarambakkam lake will help maintaining the supply. The pipeline has been completed over a length of 15.5 Km and has been linked with the city water supply network.

"Degrémont has been present in India since 1954 and has designed, built and operated many drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, including those in Bangalore for1.5 million habitants, Delhi for 3.5 million habitants and Mumbai for 11 million. With this new reference, Degrémont confirms its position as the water treatment leader in India" stated a delighted Thierry Mallet, CEO of Degrémont Group.

For further information please contact :
Ashish Mishra
098716 65423 / 098100 16405
DIPAYAN MAZUMDAR & ASSOCIATES