Nellore: Public health department has commenced the work to bring drinking water to Nellore through a 34 km long pipeline by tapping 122 million litres per day (MLD) of water from huge intake wells in Penna river at Sangam barrage. It is a part of the '556 crore comprehensive water supply improvement scheme funded by Hudco. The scheme became necessary as the urban local body is not in a position to supply potable and required quantity of water to the public of the city because the existing galleries on the river Penna are being polluted with the sullage discharge into the river.
The defunct of mini schemes in the city, age-old pipes and uneven distribution lines in the city are also affecting the supply. Officials claim that this new water supply scheme sanctioned by the government to cover the entire area of the city to supply water 24/7 is a unique one and no other city in India has this type of sanctioned infrastructural facilities. To ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted water supply, three 400 HP Motors are being installed with a dedicated power supply through a separate feeder from 132/33 KV substation in Adoorpalli, located 32 km away from Sangam.
While two 400 HP Motors are put to use alternately, the third one is a standby. In addition to this a 1000 KVA generator is also being installed close to the Sangam barrage. One of the special features of the scheme is that a water treatment plant at ground level besides a water sump with a capacity of 2,150 KL atop a hillock at Mohammadapuram will provide water through gravity to Nellore city.
Superintending engineer of public health wing T. Mohan said that they can save 50 per cent on operation and maintenance because of distribution through gravity. The 34 km-long pipeline from Mohammadapuram to Sangam will run up to Irukalala Parameswari temple in Nellore. It will be split and taken into three directions to quench the thrust of the denizens of the city.
