Contact information
Tamil Nadu SecretariatMinister in-charge
Hon'ble Thiru Duraimurugan - Minister for Water Resources
Headquarters & office address
Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai 600005
Phone & helpline
Email address
Directorates, boards & agencies under this department
- Engineer-in-Chief & WRD Technical Headquarters
- River Basin Management Regional Wings
- State Ground & Surface Water Resources Data Centre
- Tank Rehabilitation & Check Dam Construction Wing
Related topics & services
Frequently asked citizen questions (FAQs)
How to request desilting of irrigation channels and public tanks?
Desilting of irrigation tanks, supply channels, and distribution canals is executed under Kudimaramath community programs and seasonal desilting drives.
How to submit requests:
- Submit petitions during the monthly Farmers Grievance Redressal Day held every 3rd Friday at the District Collectorate.
- Submit collective representations through local Ayacut Farmers Associations to the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE - WRD).
- Call the Chief Minister's Helpline at 1100 to log desilting requests.
Action taken:
- WRD engineers inspect the watercourse, prepare technical estimates, and execute desilting prior to the seasonal dam opening.
Where to check live dam water storage levels and discharge data?
Real-time water levels, daily inflows, and reservoir discharge data for Mettur, Bhavanisagar, Vaigai, Pechiparai, and Chennai drinking water reservoirs are published daily.
Start online (fastest):
- Visit the Water Resources Department portal (wrd.tn.gov.in).
- Click on 'Daily Reservoir Bulletin' to view inflow (in cusecs), storage (in TMC / feet), and downstream irrigation discharge.
Flood safety warnings:
- Whenever reservoirs reach Full Reservoir Level (FRL) and surplus water is vented, first, second, and final flood alerts are sounded through sirens and SMS alerts to low-lying riverside communities.
How to obtain Ground Water extraction NOC for commercial or bulk usage?
Commercial establishments, industries, infrastructure builders, and packaged drinking water plants must secure a Ground Water Extraction NOC from the WRD State Ground Water Authority.
Start online (fastest):
- Apply on the groundwater portal (gwtn.org).
- Submit land ownership records, hydrogeological feasibility report, and intended extraction volume in Kilo Liters per Day (KLD).
Mandatory compliance:
- Compulsory installation of digital water flow meters with telemetry.
- Construction of functional rainwater harvesting structures on premises.
- Extraction is strictly barred in over-exploited and critical firkas. (Agricultural borewells for farmers are fully exempt).
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