Tank Rehabilitation in Chennai Peri-Urban Area

Abstract

Urban cities rely on surface water resources such as lakes, rivers for their survival, anthropogenic activities, rapid urbanization and industrialization had put thrust on such water bodies in major cities across India. Bountiful research works conducted also proves that such resources are rapidly depleting, and it also conveys that very few reasons contribute to major deterioration of lakes. Two major parameters that contribute to this deterioration include discharge of sewage into the water bodies and unplanned encroachments along the banks. This study aimed as a sustainable water resource management technique to rehabilitate a highly deteriorated tank in Kovilambakkam village, Peri- urban in Chennai city, India. The tank which is one of the primary sources of water for the area is affected highly due to urbanization and the natural ecosystem is disturbed. A best possible solution for rehabilitation is suggested using Socio-Economic method utilizing qualitative analysis like a PRA tools (Transect Walk, Focus group Discussion, Key Informant Interview, Resource map, Semi-Structured Interview), measures to improve and safe guard the lake were taken. To analyze the performance of the work water quality analysis was done to verify physical, chemical and biological parameters, both before and after rehabilitation is done, it is found that the performance with reference to biological parameters such as MPN index. Promising results were obtained in this study restoring the lake to its original condition which started serving the indigenous people proving the effectiveness of the suggested method.