The city is literally digging deeper to quench its thirst. Borewells are dug at a depth of 500 feet in locations like Choolaimedu and Anna Nagar that have clayey soil. Jr. D. Gunaseelan, secretary, Chennai Borewell Rigowners and Drilling Contractors Association, said:“The demand for borewells has gone up due to rapid urbanisation and lack of water bodies. Deeper borewells up to 1,000 feet are being sunk using high-power, sensor-mounted rigs. Sekar Raghavan, director, Rain Centre, said though the Tamil Nadu Groundwater (Development and Management) Act states that permission must be sought to dig borewells, it is not being strictly implemented.

Source: The Hindu May 12, 2017 00:56 UTC