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CHENNAI: In a bid to provide water at affordable rates, better the supply infrastructure and take up wastewater recycling in the city, the Metrowater is seeking investments. According to Metrowater managing director Dr K Gopal, investments to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore was needed for a source of supply by 2030 as at least 42 local bodies would become part of the Chennai city after its expansion. He said the State was looking at investment possibilities in desalination plants and tertiary treated water from sewage treatment plants. The demand would be for 1,044 MLD of water after the ­city expansion, as against the estimated supply of 710 MLD. "We will then need another 334 MLD of water," Gopal said. Population growth - it is expected to touch 11.3 million by 2021 - would further widen the demandsupply gap. He noted that even the industries would face a shortage of about 15 MLD of water in future. Now, the Metrowater was supplying 70 MLD in bulk for industries and urban local bodies, as against the demand for 85 MLD. The Metro Water was looking at ways to meet the demand of 41 MLD of committed supply to Avadi municipality, he added. It was also planning to establish tertiary treatment plants at Perungudi and Nesapakkam, apart from the 35 MLD plant proposed at Koyambedu.
--Express Buzz