Now drinking water from sea at 25p/lt

The Centre’s Science and Technology department has some good news for Chennaiites reeling under water shortage — sea water can be turned potable at 25 paise per litre.

This, when the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board spends nearly Rs 1.25 crore per day to supply water through lorries. Besides, the government has already spent more than Rs 2,000 crore unsuccessfully in Krishna Water and New Veeranam schemes.

Two desalination plants, with a capacity of 500 litres and 5,000 litres per day, have been set up by some of the research laboratories under the Ministry.