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Cooum River Choked: Sewage Threatens Chennai Water Source
14 May
Summary
- Untreated sewage pollutes the Cooum River, impacting groundwater recharge.
- A dysfunctional sewage treatment plant struggles with rising waste.
- Bridge construction temporarily dried riverbeds, affecting local water supply.
The Cooum River's upper reaches are experiencing significant sewage pollution, posing a threat to Chennai's water resources. Residents near the Putlur check dam have voiced concerns about untreated sewage entering the river, which is crucial for groundwater recharge. This pollution could compromise water quality in the Chembarambakkam drinking water reservoir.
Construction for the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road has led to sections of the riverbed being dried up for bridge building. This has impacted local groundwater levels in areas like Manavala Nagar, Tiruvallur, with borewells facing scarcity. Residents have requested temporary water storage structures to mitigate water shortages.
Authorities have conducted joint inspections and proposed increasing the capacity of the Periyakuppam sewage treatment plant to handle the growing sewage volume from the urbanizing Tiruvallur municipality. While advanced methods are being used to improve treated water quality, the current plant capacity is insufficient. A report detailing mitigation measures has been submitted to local and district administrations.
