According to K.R. Sivaraman, former Geophysicist, Public Works Department (Groundwater), at least one hundred ponds were created in these abandoned quarries in Tambaram Taluk and the volume of rainwater stored in them was huge. "One month ago, we undertook a study of abandoned quarries in Tirusulam and the depth ranged from 20 feet to 200 feet," the former official said. While making it clear that water could not be used directly from these quarries for domestic use, he said it could be made potable after simple treatment processes.