CHENNAI: The Public Works (Groundwater) Department organised a groundwater awareness workshop at Zion Higher Secondary School in Selaiyur on Saturday to commemorate Water Year.

Chief Engineer (Ground Water Wing) P. Mahalingam highlighted the importance of conserving ground water so that Tamil Nadu did not have to depend on other States. Mr. Mahalingam described the various activities of the department towards ground water management and conservation.

K. Nagarajan, joint chief engineer of the department, encouraged the students to create awareness of water conservation, especially among their family and friends.

He said the department had sophisticated scientific equipments to find water yield and the exact place to drill borewells. He further added that the department allowed the public to test water quality.

He wanted the students to bear in mind four important things: water conservation, water management, safeguarding ground water from different kinds of pollution and developing water resources.

Students presented historical facts in detail about the rivers — Cauvery and Krishna — that flow into Tamil Nadu and the hurdles the State is facing in obtaining water from other States. A student said despite being a natural resource, water had become a commodity with people having to pay for drinking water.

N. Vijayan, principal and school correspondent, spoke on the need for students to involve themselves for the success of such awareness programmes. Prizes were distributed to the participants.

The Public Works (Groundwater) Department is located at Taramani.

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