Sewage mixing with water used for irrigation

Madurai: Sewage flowing from a drainage channel in Madakulam has been mixing with water in Muthupatti channel, a key channel in Madurai being used for irrigating crops.

Residents of Madakulam allege that badly laid UGD pipelines in their area are responsible for sewage leaking and mixing with water in the channel. “There are constant complaints from residents regarding sewage overflows and leakages,” said B Krishnan, a resident of Madakulam. While desilting of the channel took place in November, and waste is cleared from it, a permanent solution for sewage leakage is yet to be seen.

“Water from Muthupatti channel is used to irrigate crops and is also pumped out to be used as drinking water for many people in the area,” Muthuvel, another resident said. He added that UGD pipes need to be reinforced or repaired to prevent leaking and redirected to prevent mixing with channel water.

A senior PWD official said Muthupatti channel is being maintained properly and the issue of sewage mixing with the channel water will be investigated thoroughly. “Measures have been put in place to ensure that waste dumping into the channel does not happen,” the official added.