Villagers Block Vaniyambadi Sewage Plant

Residents in Valayambattu village are raising strong objections to the Vaniyambadi municipality's proposal to establish a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) along the Palar River. The community, comprising over 4,000 families, expressed concerns about potential groundwater contamination from the proposed facility, which is slated to be built two kilometers from their village. This area is a significant agricultural hub, with residents relying on farming and weaving for their livelihoods.

Farmers in Valayambattu highlighted that the identified 10-acre plot for the STP could instead serve as a vital resource for rainwater storage during monsoons, preventing house inundation, or for cattle grazing. They emphasized that the project's proximity to farmlands and water bodies could negatively impact water quality, affecting surrounding villages. Vaniyambadi municipality officials stated that land within their own limits was too expensive, leading them to identify the site in Valayambattu, which is downstream and suitable for wastewater discharge.

Officials also pointed out that the new STP is intended to replace the current practice of discharging sewage into stormwater drains, which pollutes local lakes and ponds. The treated recycled water from the plant is planned for use in watering roadside plants. This initiative aims to curb illegal sewage discharge and protect the region's water bodies from further pollution.