Desalination: Process to select consultants on

CHENNAI: Metro Water is in the process of selecting consultants for setting up a 400 mld desalination plant in the city. A senior Metro Water official told Express that the plant will be set up in an area adjoining Nemili and once the consultant is selected, a detailed project report will be prepared.The process of selecting the consultants comes in the wake of the announcement in the State Assembly to set up a plant. Interestingly, the plant is likely to be set up in an adjoining area where another 100 mld desalination plant is coming up. Sources said that the land is yet to be identified for the new plant.Meanwhile, the 100 mld plant will be ready by June 2012, the senior Metro Water official said. He said the  plant was delayed due to inclement weather during January and April this year.About 265 mld of raw water from the sea will be drawn by gravity by laying 1600 mm pipes for a length of 1042 metre and after undergoing reverse osmosis, 100 mld desalinated water would be produced, he said.Currently, the state is getting 90 mld of water from the Minjur desalination plant. The water is purchased at an average cost of `48.66 per kilolitre (48.66 paise per litre) per day including water capacity charges, as well as variables (cost of treatment, manpower and chemicals).