The Hindu 10.08.2009

Memories of drinking water mixing with sewage still linger

Deepa H Ramakrishnan and K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation has identified a total of 1,500 overflow connections to its stormwater drain (SWD) network and 267 sewer outfalls from the network into the Cooum and Adyar rivers. The major problem areas include T. Nagar, Greams Road, Vyasarpadi and Kodungaiyur. During the monsoon many residents fear it is going to be a major issue.

“Even during summer several areas in north Chennai face the problem of frequent sewer blocks. In several areas where SWDs are available, the network is used for carrying sewage. We shudder to think what would happen during the rain. In low-lying areas there would be backflow of sewage and contamination could happen, said V. Shanmugasundaram, Chairman of Zone 2 of the Corporation.

“During the rain both rainwater and sewage will use the stormwater network. Similarly rainwater will run in the sewer lines. Plastic bags also block chute pipes leading into SWD. What we need is a long-term solution, which has to be planned and implemented by all departments concerned,” said M. Jayaraman, Zone 10 chairman. He also said the Public Works Department must desilt major canals before the onset of the monsoon. Every spell of rain brings with it the issue of drinking water mixing with sewage. Residents of various areas such as Parankusapuram in Kodambakkam and Padikuppam road have already begun complaining about sewage blocks. There have been a 25-30 per cent complaints pertaining to sewage to the complaint cell of the Metrowater over the past few months. However, Metrowater officials said steps were taken to combat problems pertaining to monsoon.

Of the total 15,743 streets in the city, nearly 250 streets including in areas such as Choolai, Muthamizh Nagar, Bhojaraja Nagar, parts of Puliathope and Kotturpuram, Gothamedu in Saidapet, Choolai Pallam and Foreshore Estate have been identified as those affected by frequent sewage problem during rain. Pipe supply would be suspended in flood-prone areas and supply would be done through tankers to avoid contamination.

Times of India 01.08.2009

Infrequent water supply tops council meetings in suburbs

TNN 1 August 2009, 12:19am IST

CHENNAI: Infrequent water supply to residents topped the agenda at the municipal council meetings in Alandur, Pallavaram and Tambaram on Friday.

Despite frequent showers in the suburbs, the water table in many areas continues to be low and residents have to rely on the water supplied by the local bodies. However, the irregular supply has made life miserable. "For more than 10 days now, the residents in my ward (No: 23) have not got water and I have not been able to answer those who elected me," said Alandur councillor V N P Venkataraman.

Cutting across partylines, councillors blamed the Alandur municipal officials for failing to address public grievances. Municipal chairman A Duraivelu, in fact, took a dig at the officials and said that the councillors could henceforth come directly to him with their problems rather than go to the officials.

The various councillors demanded that municipality take more water from the Metrowater and from private tanker lorries. They also insisted that the existing overhead tanks be strengthened and new overhead tanks built as the population in the area had grown over the years. The number of overhead tanks had not increased, they said.

Similarly, councillors in the Pallavaram and Tambaram municipalities raised the irregular supply of water in their localities.

Councillors of the Tambaram municipality demanded that the work on the water supply scheme, aimed at providing uninterrupted supply to residents, be expedited.

In Pallavaram, the councillors demanded better roads before the monsoon sets in. Most of the councillors said the municipality should complete the underground stormwater drainage project at the earliest as the channels dug up for the purpose weren't closed and were posing a risk to residents.