TWIC to survey water contamination in three zones of Chennai

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company will be carrying out a survey to
study the problem of potable water getting mixed with sewage in
certain pockets of the city.



A senior Metro Water official said that Chennai Metro Water has
assigned TWIC to survey three zones of Royapuram, Kodambakkam and
Mylapore and find out how many streets are facing the problem of
potable water getting polluted.



“We are facing problems in certain pockets and have assigned the study
to check out what is the cause for such pollution,” said the official.



The study will also highlight what measures should be taken so that
the city gets quality water. TWIC will also come out with technology
solution,” said the official.



Currently, out of the 7,406 streets in these areas, we have identified
less than 30 streets where this problem is happening. “Rectification
work is on and it is expected that within this month the issue will be
sorted out,” he said.



He said that such problem is happening in those areas where the
drinking water pipeline connection is given along with the storm water
drain.



The official said that Chennai Corporation is now focussing on new
design for storm water drain so that this could minimise the issue of
contamination of potable water.



Interestingly, this comes when complaints have started pouring in from
various areas. T S Jayaraman of T Nagar Residents' Welfare Association
said that the water supplied to certain pockets of T Nagar had a bad
odour. “It is being looked into by Metro water officials,” he said.



Similarly, complaints have been pouring in from Gopalapuram also. S
Swaminathan, a resident in the 3rd street, complained about bad odour
from the water being supplied by Metro Water. “We have been getting it
since last 15 to 20 days. Metro water officials today came and took
the samples,” he said.



Metro Water officials attending to the problem said they are finding
out the source of pollution.



A Metro water official said that they are getting the complaints from
various areas and it is looked into immediately, “While the problems
are being rectified we also ensure the residents get quality water
through our tankers,” said the official.



“We have also replaced 40km of drinking water pipeline in Tondiarpet,
Royapuram and Perambur. They are being kept away from the storm water
alignment,” the official added