Chennai is raising alarm over the rampant spread of water hyacinth in key water bodies, which they say is severely disrupting local ecosystems.
Prominent among these affected areas is the rear section of the Red Hills reservoir, a crucial source of drinking water for the city. The Puzhal Eri, Arafat Eri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam, a local residents’ association, highlights that the proliferation of this invasive aquatic weed is exacerbated by untreated sewage discharges from nearby localities.
Sundaramurthy, President of the association, underscores the gravity of the situation, noting that sewage from Avadi municipal corporation and Greater Chennai Corporation, specifically areas like Venkatachalam Nagar, Saraswathy Nagar, and Thendral Nagar in Avadi, as well as Surapet, Pammadhukulam, and Ambattur Bhanu Nagar, is funnelling into the reservoir. Many of these regions lack an underground drainage network, leading to direct sewage flow into the water bodies.
Sewage inflow into the Red Hills reservoir, compounded by the absence of functional sewage treatment plants, has facilitated the unchecked growth of water hyacinth. Sundaramurthy advocates for immediate governmental intervention to operate these plants effectively and clear the vegetation clogging the water bodies.
Similarly, residents of Chitlapakkam have voiced concerns about water bodies on the southern fringes, where lakes in Sembakkam, Selaiyur, and Rajakilpakkam are overrun by water hyacinth, indicative of ongoing sewage contamination. M. Ravi, Secretary of the Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents’ Association, reports that despite efforts by NGOs to mitigate sewage pollution, Sembakkam lake continues to be a recipient of diverted sewage from localities such as Pallavaram and East Tambaram, which lack sewer connections.
While sewage inflow into Chitlapakkam lake has been addressed, it has merely shifted the burden to Sembakkam lake, with floodwater channels often carrying untreated sewage. Ravi calls for immediate removal and proper disposal of water hyacinth to prevent further ecological damage. Officials of the Water Resources Department said steps would be taken to remove water hyacinth from the waterbodies in the city fringes. The waterbodies would be chosen on priority basis according to the availability of funds in June.
