Chennai's Drinking Water Challenges

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, experiences significant water scarcity due to its location and high population density. Meeting the growing demand for drinking water requires supplementing local sources with water from distant rivers, often through complex projects and inter-state agreements.

Assessing Water Sources for Chennai's Needs

The question asks to identify which river water source currently supplements Chennai's drinking water requirements. Let's evaluate the options provided:

• Krishna River Water: Water from the Krishna River is a crucial supplementary source for Chennai. This supply is facilitated through the Telugu Ganga Project, an inter-state initiative involving Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Under this project, water is diverted from the Krishna River to Chennai, significantly boosting its water availability, especially during dry periods.
• Thamirabarani River Water: The Thamirabarani River is located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu and serves districts like Tirunelveli. It is not a source for Chennai's drinking water supply.
• Godavari River Water: While there have been discussions and proposals for linking the Godavari River waters to augment water supply in various parts of South India, including Chennai, the Krishna River project is the established and operational major supplementary supply scheme currently serving the city.
• Siruvani River Water: The Siruvani River is a vital source for the city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. It does not provide water to Chennai.

Identifying the Correct Supplementary Source

Considering the major water supply projects and agreements in place for Chennai, the Krishna river water is the primary external source that supplements the city's drinking water needs.