TIRUCHY: The recent deaths of four people and the hospitalisation of several others in and around Woraiyur, allegedly after consuming the potable water supplied by the city corporation, has triggered fear not just among local residents but those in other wards as well as several of them now take precautionary measures like using water purifiers and switching to buying water from private dealers to satiate their needs.
Those finding it difficult to afford such alternatives -- like the majority in Woraiyur -- resort to boiling the corporation-supplied water multiple times before consumption. This comes despite the corporation’s efforts to allay public fears by refuting allegations of contamination of the water supply.
L Rajalakshmi, an elderly resident in Thillai Nagar, said, “Although the corporation claims its water supply is safe for consumption, I am still worried. I therefore have ordered for a water purifier system online.”
Water purifier companies appear to have sensed an opportunity as TNIE spotted sales executives from such firms distributing flyers on their products at Walkers Track in Anna Nagar on Thursday.
Sathish Kumar, a sales executive with a water purifier firm, said, "We usually see more sales in summer, but this year we are expecting at least a 20% increase. We are also offering discounts ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000."
Meanwhile, Kavitha, who resides in the Khajamalai slum, said, “We don't know if the overhead water tanks are being cleaned properly. Our councillor raised the issue many times but no action appears to have been taken. Thus ever since the Woraiyur incident we've started boiling the water supplied by the civic body multiple times before consumption."
Strengthening her claims, sources while pointing out that there are 136 overhead water tanks in the city said that regular cleaning is not taken up in “most of them”.
This is not all as even staff members at the corporation's head office say they avoid using the water supplied to the building. "The water has an odour. The overhead tank on the head office premises isn't cleaned regularly -- everyone knows this. Thus, most of us use water bought from outside instead," said a corporation staff member.
"If the corporation can upload chlorination test results, why can't its upload details of overhead tank cleaning undertaken in each area?" asked S Karthik, a Woraiyur resident.
When enquired, City Health Officer M Vijay Chandran told TNIE, "We are regularly testing the water samples and there is no need for panic." Senior officials added that the corporation would soon take steps to address residents' concerns and restore public confidence.