Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, known as Metrowater, seized eight illegal water suction motors from hostels and residential premises in Alapakkam, Maduravoyal and Taramani on Friday, taking the total number of such seizures in the city to 97.
The utility said its special monitoring teams conducted the inspections to prevent pressure fluctuations in the drinking-water distribution network and protect equitable supply to consumers. Officials found booster-type electric motors connected directly to public drinking-water pipelines at the premises inspected.
According to Metrowater officials, the motors are used to forcibly draw additional water into overhead tanks or sumps. This reduces pressure in the distribution network and can affect the supply reaching neighbouring households, the utility said.
In Taramani, located in the Adyar zone, officials also found illegal motors being used to draw water from pipelines within residential premises. All eight motors identified during Friday’s inspections were seized.
A senior Metrowater official said notices had been issued to the owners of the premises where the motors were found. “We have also issued notices to owners of the premises where the motors were found, warning them against using such devices to draw drinking water illegally. Those found violating the rules again will face action under the relevant legal provisions,” the official said.
The seizures are part of continuing inspections by special monitoring teams formed by the utility. Metrowater said the teams would continue checking premises across Chennai for illegal suction devices connected to the public water distribution system.
