Leak in drinking water pipe floods colony near Porur
CHENNAI: Members of a residential colony near Porur woke up on Saturday morning to an unusual scene. The entire area was under knee-deep water though there was no overnight rain. A leak in a two-metre diameter underground pipeline from the Chembarambakkam water treatment plant to the city had flooded the colony, EVP Park Avenue, about 5km from the plant. Officials of Metrowater, said the exact quantity of water lost could not be accurately estimated as water was not being pumped in at maximum pressure through the pipe that was about 8km long. Normally, a pipe of this dimension can carry a maximum of 22,000 litres of water per second under full pressure. Residents demanded an investigation into the quality of pipeline that was laid four years ago, but an official said the problem appeared to be with the valve, not the pipeline. The leak in the area occurred around 5.30am and water continued to pour in till 8am though water supply was stopped in less than hour. A local Metrowater offici