Nemmeli Desalination Plant – 110 MLD SWRO, Chennai
Client
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB)
Location
Chennai, India
Capacity
110,000 m³/day
Nemmeli Desalination Plant – 110 MLD SWRO, Chennai
Sea Water Desalination Plant Strengthening Chennai’s Water Security
The 110 MLD Nemmeli Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Desalination Plant is one of Chennai’s most critical water infrastructure assets, ensuring reliable production of potable water for the fast-growing southern region of the city. Operated under a long-term Operation & Maintenance (O&M) contract for CMWSSB, the plant supports Chennai’s water resilience by consistently supplying high-quality desalinated water, even during periods of groundwater depletion and monsoon variability.
Advanced Desalination Facility Using SWRO Technology
Built on a Design-Build-Operate (DBO) model, the desalination plant uses a multi-stage Sea Water Reverse Osmosis process supported by robust pre-treatment and post-treatment systems. The facility ensures stable performance, compliance with international drinking water standards, and efficient salinity removal despite fluctuations in raw seawater quality.
O&M Excellence Ensuring Reliable, Safe, and Efficient Water Supply
WABAG’s long-term O&M framework ensures sustained plant reliability, membrane health, optimized energy usage, and uninterrupted water supply to South Chennai. Continuous monitoring, predictive maintenance, and performance-enhancing interventions allow the plant to operate at high efficiency while minimizing lifecycle costs.
Power-Optimized Operations for Sustainable Desalination
The Nemmeli desalination facility incorporates energy-recovery devices and optimized operating regimes that reduce the specific energy consumption of the plant. Through operational fine-tuning and equipment efficiency improvements, the plant maintains a balance between high-quality water production and sustainable energy utilization.
Comprehensive O&M Scope for a Future-Ready Desalination Plant
The plant’s O&M scope includes seawater intake management, chemical dosing systems, pre-treatment filtration, high-pressure RO operations, membrane cleaning, post-treatment stabilization, and distribution interface management. This full-spectrum operational coverage ensures continuous compliance with drinking water norms and smooth functioning of the entire desalination chain.
High-Performance Treatment Process Ensuring Drinking Water Quality
The desalination process includes:
- Seawater screening and dissolved air flotation
- Dual-media and cartridge filtration
- High-pressure RO membranes for salt and contaminant removal
- Energy recovery systems
- Post-treatment remineralization and disinfection
These steps ensure that the plant consistently meets potable water standards while delivering stable output to the city’s distribution network.
Environmental and Social Impact for Chennai
The Nemmeli plant provides a vital, drought-proof water source that directly benefits millions of residents in South Chennai. By reducing dependence on groundwater and freshwater reservoirs, it enhances climate resilience and supports long-term urban water security.
A Benchmark Among Desalination and O&M Companies in India
With its long-term operational performance, advanced SWRO technology, and sustained production of high-quality potable water, the Nemmeli facility reinforces WABAG’s leadership among global desalination and O&M solution providers. It stands as a benchmark for future municipal desalination projects in India.