CHENNAI: Faced with the onerous task of quenching the thirst of a city that’s being whittled down by a rising population and failing rain, the government has unveiled a plan to set up five mini-desalination plants of one million litre capacity each. The plants, costing Rs120 crore, will start operation at Kasimedu, Thiruvottiyur, Triplicane, MRC Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur within the next six months, said a Chennai Water Supply and Sewerage Board proposal.“Everyone knows Chennai is facing a water crisis. Since we lack perennial sources, we decided to set up minidesalination plants that will cater to specific areas. The areas selected under the project are heavily dependent on groundwater sources that have now completely gone dry. Each of these plants can cater to at least 1 lakh people,” said a senior engineer at Metrowater.Since these plants are small, they don’t require much space or infrastructure. Also, it is easier to get clearances and approval for setting up these plants, said an official. However, clearances from central and state pollution control board and coastal regulation authorities are a must.Metrowater officials are at present analysing the feasibility aspect. “We have planned it in such a manner that pipelines will be laid from the plants to the nearest water distribution stations. From there, water would be supplied to residents using existing pipelines. We just need to spend on the cost of setting up these plants,” said an engineer. The proposal is likely to get the government’s nod soon and will be announced on the floor of the assembly.As of now, Metrowater is dependent on Chembarambakkam, Cholavaram and Red Hills reservoirs that are almost dry. Veeranam water supply scheme, quarries and borewells, and 100MLD desalination plants at Nemmeli and Minjur are the other sources of water that are providing succour to the city. “Under full capacity, we supply 830 MLD of water to the city, but due to drought, we are supplying only 500MLD,” said an official.SJanakarajan, retired professor of Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) and president of Saciwaters, Hyderabad, said though desalination plants were not environmentfriendly and cause damage to coastal ecology, they were the need of the hour. “We have never faced such a water crisis in the past 40 years. In the present circumstances, such ad hoc measures are necessary. But these can only be temporary measures, as we need to look for permanent solutions such as conserving rainwater and rejuvenating city lakes. Whenever it rains, we only work on flood mitigation and not on water conservation,” he said.