With foul odour rending the air, fear of contamination looms
A majority of residents in the city would like to believe that the drinking water supply that they get at their house taps comes from protected and hygienic reservoirs. But it causes much disquiet when the expectation is belied, as in the case of residents of Balaji Avenue, off the Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road in Srirangam.
The drinking water overhead tank (OHT) complex at the south-west corner of the locality has been subject to much pollution over the past few months owing to the seepage of sewage from a faulty underground sewer line.
The OHT from where water is supplied to the locality and other parts of Srirangam and Thiruvanaikovil presents a picture of poor maintenance and neglect. Sewage from the underground sewer line could be seen flowing into the complex. Local residents attribute the problem to a fault in the pumping system of the underground drainage.
Apart from worries over a possible contamination of drinking water, residents are faced with other problems too.
A foul odour hangs in the air as the sewage flows all around the OHT. “We have to bear the brunt of the foul smell and residents are forced to keep their windows closed all the time. The sewage overflow has also made the OHT complex a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” says A.S.Namasivayam, president of Balaji Nagar Welfare Association.
Residents also complain that the gate of the OHT complex remains open all the time and is never kept locked. This makes it a safe haven for anti-social elements.
A few persons even bathe their cattle inside the complex using the water flowing down whenever the tank overflows on reaching its full capacity.
The entire complex, with compound walls, is full of thorny bushes and even snakes are found here, they regret.
When contacted, ward councillor K.Babu said the corporation authorities have already been informed about the problem and assured that the problem of overflowing sewage would be solved soon.