Contaminated water sparks fear among Madurai residents

Madurai: Yellow, discoloured drinking water coming through the pipelines has sparked fear among residents of Sellur area in Madurai. They demanded that the issues be rectified and properly treated water be distributed.

For the past few days, contaminated water has been flowing through the pipelines. Residents fear that waterborne illnesses could spread in the area.

Residents said three cases of jaundice have been reported at the primary health centre in Sellur in the past few days. Doctors, however, said there is no evidence that the illness is connected to the contaminated water. “There could be other possibilities as well including contamination from puddles of sewage water that has overflowed in the area,” a doctor said, adding that they are working to pinpoint the exact cause.

A senior corporation official said once the complaints were received, the pipelines were shut off, and water was provided to residents via lorries and tractors. “The contaminants came from the older Vaigai I and Vaigai II water schemes that are still active in a few areas. Now they have been shut,” the official said. “As the water levels at the Vaigai dam is around 20ft, contaminants are entering the water pipelines. The water level should be around 26 to 28ft for clean drinking water supply,” the official added.

While some residents welcomed supply of drinking water through tractors, others are skeptical. “We don’t know where this water is coming from. Instead of this, measures should be taken to treat the drinking water coming through the pipelines and resume that service,” Shankar, a resident, said.

The official said the pipelines need to be revamped and the area would be brought under the Mullaperiyar drinking water scheme. “There are some issues regarding the water pressure and supply of the Mullaperiyar scheme as well. Once these issues are resolved, work can start,” the official said.