CHENNAI: Is the water in Puzhali Lake polluted? It says Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and no it says Chennai Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board (Metro Water).
The controversy has surfaced through a TNPCB report filed before the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is hearing a suo motu case on pollution in the lake.
The board alleged that sewage from houses is entering the reservoir that supplies drinking water to Chennai.
TNPCB conducted an inspection and collected water samples from the lake in February, finding faecal coliform an indicator of organic and faecal pollution. He then wrote to Metro Water highlighting the results.
“The back side of Redhills lake (Puzhal lake) in Venkateshwara Nagar, Pudur, Bhanu Nagar and Kallikuppam area was inspected and it was observed that some of the residences in these areas have been discharging sewage into the storm water drain which finally reaches Redhills lake,” the TNP letter said.
He also pointed out that untreated sewage from Sakthi Nagar is being illegally discharged directly into the lake through open storm water drains and directed Metro Water to ensure that 100% of the houses in Kallikuppam, Banu Nagar, Pudur and Venkatachalam Nagar in Ambattur area are connected to a functional underground sewage system.
Metro Water, on the other hand, said no sewage flow was seen entering the lake through storm water drains.
Meanwhile, residents in Ambattur localities without underground sewage connections claim that households lacking sewage connections routinely discharge sewage into drains and stormwater drains, giving importance to the TNPCB’s concern.
A Metro Water official said a DPR has been prepared to extend sewage connections to unserved areas and the work will begin after the government’s approval.
