Chennai Water Worries: Residents Allege Sewage Contamination, Officials Advise Boiling
Residents in several parts of Chennai have taken to social media to report suspected sewage contamination in their drinking water supply, prompting civic authorities to urge caution while they investigate the complaints.
One post described a residential complex on East Coast Road (ECR) in Thiruvanmiyur where residents suspected sewage had mixed with drinking water. Another post alleged that more than 50 staff members who attended a function in the city developed food poisoning, possibly linked to hotel food from a venue on ECR. The post said severe vomiting and diarrhoea were reported and that those affected were advised to go to a government hospital if symptoms persisted.
Officials from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) said the incidents may be isolated. They advised residents to drink only boiled water, noting that even home Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants can become contaminated if not maintained properly.
Former councillor Mangala Raj said sewage contamination of water had been reported earlier in areas such as Taramani. Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi said residents of L Block in Anna Nagar had also complained about sewage entering their drinking water. “GCC and Metrowater have to coordinate to resolve such civic issues. Public health risk is high. The pipelines were laid more than 40 years ago and have to be restored,” he said.
The complaints highlight longstanding concerns about ageing water infrastructure in Chennai. Experts point out that old, worn-out pipelines can develop cracks, allowing sewage to leak into water lines, especially when water pressure fluctuates. While authorities have not confirmed contamination in the latest cases, they have promised to test water samples and inspect the affected areas.
Residents have also called for a more proactive approach from the civic bodies, urging them to replace old pipelines and improve coordination between water supply and sewerage departments. Until the matter is resolved, residents are being asked to take precautions such as boiling water before consumption.
Metrowater officials have stated that they are taking the complaints seriously and will conduct field inspections. They reiterated that any confirmed contamination would be addressed immediately, and action would be taken as per public health norms.
