Water crisis hits Villivakkam residents

“The entire area is facing acute water crisis from February itself. We have not received supply from Metrowater for the past two weeks. Therefore, due to the uncertainties attached to it, we have stopped relying on the Metrowater. Instead, we are completely relying on private tankers to meet our needs,” said K Purushothaman, a member of the Shiyam Thirth Residents Welfare Association.

According to Balasubramani, another resident of Villivakkam, the residents in the locality used to be almost completely dependent on Metrowater tanker to meet their requirement. But now, they are receiving water from the State-run utility only once a week. “Recently, an official advised us to store water, as the supply can be cut at any time in the coming days,” said Balasubramani, sounding understandably worried.

Also, residents added, earlier they had groundwater to supplement the availability. However, compounding their trouble, this option is no longer available due to the shrinking of the Villivakkam lake. From its original area of 214 acres, the Villivakkam lake has now become only a 36.34-acre waterbody because of rampant encroachment along with dumping of debris, illegal settlements, railways line and high-tension power line. “Almost 80 per cent of the waterbody has been encroached,” said a resident on condition of anonymity.

When asked, however, the Metrowater area engineer disputed the residents’ allegation. “The Metrowater is supplying water on alternate days,” said the official, adding that the supply would continue in regular intervals.