Chennai gets 50 smart water ATMs for free access to drinking water

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the smart water ATM, a free drinking water outlet, at Marina Beach in Chennai on June 18, 2025
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu

Residents in Chennai will now have access to safe drinking water on the go, as Chennai Metrowater has set up smart water ATMs at 50 locations across the city. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the water ATM installed near Marina beach swimming pool on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and drank the water generated by the facility.

Equipped with IoT based technology, the water dispensing units worth ₹6.04 crore have been set up at public places including bus stands, government hospitals, commercial spaces and near educational institutions.

Residents may use the facilities set up in various areas, including Manali, Madhavaram, Adyar, Ambattur, Anna Nagar and Royapuram, free of cost. Work orders have been issued for the operation and maintenance of these water ATMs for three years.

A press release said these automated water-dispensing units integrated with reverse osmosis and ultra filtration systems will allow users to fill one-litre bottles or 150 ml containers. They have a storage capacity varying from 3,000 litres to 9,000 litres.

Metrowater engineers will receive alerts whenever the water level in the facilities drops. Surveillance cameras have been installed to monitor theft or damage. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekarbabu and officials of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Chennai Metrowater and Greater Chennai Corporation were also present.