TN CM Stalin Lays Foundation Stone For South-East Asia's Largest Desalination Plant

In a significant stride towards resolving the water crisis gripping Chennai city, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M K Stalin, has laid the foundation stone for what is set to become South East Asia’s largest water desalination project.

Spearheaded by VA Tech Wabag, a renowned pure-play water technology Indian Multinational Group based in Chennai, this project is poised to revolutionize the region’s water supply. With an ambitious investment of Rs 4,400 crore, this initiative holds the potential to alleviate Chennai’s water scarcity concerns and elevate the city’s status as a water-sustainable urban center.

Pioneering South East Asia’s Largest Desalination Project to Address Chennai’s Water Crisis

The goal of the project is to establish a Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility with the capacity to generate an impressive 400 million liters per day (MLD) of clean, drinkable water. The financial backing for this project is being extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), exemplifying a collaborative endeavor aimed at tackling a critical regional concern.

This undertaking not only enhances Chennai’s water security by establishing a dependable source of potable water through desalination but also has the potential to bestow upon the city the prestigious designation of the “Desalination Capital of India“. The combined production of desalinated water along the Chennai coastline is projected to approach an astounding 750 MLD, presenting a remarkable achievement that could potentially reshape Chennai’s water dynamics.

Innovative Desalination Process Utilizing State-of-the-Art Technologies

Central to this groundbreaking endeavor is an inventive desalination procedure that harnesses advanced technologies. This method comprises essential components such as lamella clarifiers, a dissolved air flotation system, dual media filters utilizing gravity, reverse osmosis, and re-mineralization. This intricate setup is poised to yield a remarkable daily output of 400 million liters of premium quality potable water. Subsequently, this treated water will be disseminated to the inhabitants of South Chennai through the (Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board)CMWSSB.