Iyyappanthagal residents on edge: Grey water discharge sparks groundwater contamination fears

CHENNAI: Residents of Iyyappanthangal have raised serious concerns over severe groundwater contamination caused by the illegal discharge of grey water from residential and commercial properties. Grey water is domestic waste water that comes from plumbing fixtures and has no contact with faecal matter.

Wastewater from the 4th Main Road of VGN Nagar and the 1st Main Road of Ashok Brindavan Nagar has been pooling in a massive, low-lying vacant area.

Residents alleged this stagnant water was seeping into the home wells, contaminating overhead tanks and threatening a major public health crisis. The issue stems from a low-lying tract of land behind VGN Nagar.

Thirty years ago, this land was earmarked by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), which laid a pipeline 20 feet underground, carrying water from Chembarambakkam Lake to the Valasaravakkam pumping station via Iyyappanthangal and Porur. But, because the land is privately owned, the owners excavated vast amounts of soil, turning the land into a deep, low-lying pool. Also, neighbouring buildings began illegally discharging their grey water directly into this hollow.

Pratheesja Illangovan, a resident of VGN Nagar, noted that residents in her complex unknowingly consumed foul-smelling water for a week. “We discovered our well was heavily contaminated by the stagnant pool, which is fed by illegal grey water discharge from buildings on both sides of the Metro Water alignment, specifically along 4th Main Road of VGN Nagar and 1st Main Road of Ashok Brindavan Nagar,” she said.

P Vigneshwaran, from the same apartment, also pointed out that this was the second time their water source has been compromised in recent years. “It poses severe health risks for all age groups, even though we now only use the water for non-drinking purposes,” he averred.

Residents blamed authorities for their lackadaisical approach to their grievances. “Though we complained to the Kundrathur BDO, CMWSSB, and the local panchayat, no action has been taken,” Illangovan lamented.

Residents now demand that the Kundrathur health officer deploy a team to permanently block the illegal outlets and construct an underground sewerage network. An official in Kundrathur BDO said, “I’ll instruct officials to inspect the place and take immediate action to rectify the issue.” Attempts to reach Kundrathur health officer proved futile.