Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is responsible for providing water connections in Chennai. The file photo shows pipe-laying work in progress.
| Photo Credit: M. KARUNAKARAN
Whom to approach?
The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is responsible for providing water and sewer services in Chennai.
Who can apply for a water connection?
Any property owner may apply for a connection. Citizens would have to specify the nature of connection: whether it is a building constructed on a vacant land, reconstruction of a building, a modified structure, or the alteration of the existing water service. Metrowater also informs residents of the water network ready to be commissioned in their locality. There are various categories of residential and non-residential buildings. Single connection will be provided to a group of flats in one block.
How can citizens apply for new connection?
The application process has gone online for all types of buildings since January this year. The applicants would have to register themselves on https://wsc.chennaimetrowater.in/#/nc/login to apply. They would have to fill in details of connection types, building category, and the status of building assessment. They would have to answer questions like whether property is located adjoining a bus route road, whether sewage connections and sumps are available, the height of buildings and the year of their construction, availability of planning permission and completion certificate, and infrastructure for grey water separation and reuse. Applicants of mixed use buildings (domestic and commercial) should provide details of the area for residential and non-residential purposes.
What are the documents required?
Copy of property assessment from the Chennai Corporation with floor-wise details; copy of planning permission and building permission (not mandatory); copy of completion certificate; proof of infrastructure development charges paid to the CMDA or the Corporation (This is to deduct the amount in charges); photographs of rainwater harvesting structures (mandatory); declaration of grey water separation (mandatory for two-storey buildings); and copy of ration and Aadhaar cards (for address proof).
How much is charged?
Metrowater charges ₹7,500 per dwelling unit. Applicants would have to pay ₹3,000 in advance for a dwelling unit if the building is not assessed for water tax. Once the application is submitted, its status will be intimated to the area engineer. After inspection, an estimate would be prepared for the water connection, including labour, road cut, and water meter charges.
Who are eligible for the instalment option?
Consumers of a residential and partly commercial single-storey building can pay in 10 instalments and those in buildings of up to three floors can pay in three instalments.
How long will it take to get a connection?
Once the online payment is made and the application is processed, work order will be generated. The connection will be provided in 15 days.
Published – April 20, 2025 10:10 pm IST