The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has chosen VA TECH WABAG to lead the development of a looped transmission network under the Chennai Climate Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project (CCRWSSP). This initiative, funded by the Asian Development Bank, aims to establish a city-wide water grid platform to improve the flexibility, reliability, and resilience of Chennai's water infrastructure.
The project is designed to address the city’s persistent challenges of water scarcity, unequal distribution, and supply disruptions, issues that have been exacerbated by climate change and the city's reliance on distant water sources. The new looped transmission system will enhance the city’s bulk water transmission network by interconnecting existing and new pumping stations, reservoirs, and key network nodes. This interconnected grid will allow for dynamic water flow balancing, reduce dependence on single transmission routes, and improve water distribution reliability across Greater Chennai City (GCC).
In addition to physical infrastructure upgrades, the project will incorporate advanced digital monitoring, automated control systems, and performance-based operations and maintenance. This integration will empower CMWSSB with smarter network management capabilities, enhancing operational efficiency and overall system resilience.
WABAG will oversee the construction of bulk transmission pipelines, feeder mains, pumping stations, and underground tanks, while also ensuring the integration of the system with the central SCADA platform. The project is scheduled for completion within 54 months, with an additional 10 years allocated for ongoing operation and maintenance.
Once fully operational, the new water grid will play a critical role in strengthening Chennai’s climate resilience, enabling better management of water resources and ensuring a more reliable water supply to meet the needs of the city’s growing population.
Shailesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of WABAG’s India Cluster, commented, “This project marks an important step towards building a resilient and future-ready water infrastructure for Chennai. The development of a city-wide water grid will significantly enhance supply reliability, operational flexibility, and climate resilience for the city. We are proud to partner with CMWSSB and support Chennai’s long-term water security by delivering advanced infrastructure combined with digital monitoring and smart network management.”
