Residents flag garbage dumping, sewage threat near Red Hills reservoir

The Red Hills reservoir, one of Chennai’s key drinking water sources, now brimming to capacity, offers a picturesque view from the main bund. But its rear portions remain vulnerable to solid waste dumping and sewage pollution.

Residents of Surapet have raised concerns about unchecked solid waste dumping along the lake, particularly near the Surapet water treatment plant maintained by the Chennai Metrowater.

Spread over 20.86 sq. km, the Red Hills reservoir has reached 100% capacity of 3,300 million cubic feet. A minimal inflow of 50 cusecs, received as run-off from the catchment areas, is being discharged through the shutters.

M. Murugan, a resident of Nagathamman Koil Street abutting the lake and the Surapet treatment plant, said: “The previously dry area along the rear portions of the lake, falling under the Ambattur zone, has filled up with water. Gaps in the parapet wall along the bund have become convenient for people to access the lake for bathing and washing clothes. Cattle are also being bathed during weekends.”

The Red Hills reservoir, one of Chennai’s key drinking water sources, now brimming to its capacity.
| Photo Credit:
B. Jothi Ramalingam

Small boats have also been anchored in the lake area. The dumping of garbage along the bund and within the reservoir continues despite steps taken to clear them, he said. Residents of Surapet said water is drawn from the same stretch for treatment as well as city supply. They have urged the authorities to reconstruct the parapet wall and restrict access to the reservoir to prevent the contamination of the water source.

S. Sundaramurthy, president, Puzhal Eri Arafath Eri Pathukappu Makkal Iyakkam, a citizen-led movement, said sewage flowed directly into the reservoir through stormwater drains in areas like Bhanu Nagar West, VOC Street, Oragadam, Venkateswara Nagar, and Balaji Nagar East in Ambattur. Sewage is let into the waterbody despite a sewage pumping station functioning in Lenin Nagar and the levy of fines.

Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) said a ₹52-crore project has been proposed to strengthen the bund running for 8 km. Work was already carried out for 1.4 km near main bund. Construction of parapet wall and bund protection near areas like Surapet has also been incorporated. Measures to prevent contamination would be taken along with the Chennai Metrowater.

Cholavaram reservoir bund damage

Though three other major reservoirs are full, the Cholavaram reservoir is maintained at 50% storage because of damages in the bund despite the recent ₹40-crore work to strengthen critical portions.

Officials of the WRD said a five-member expert committee has been constituted to study the issue and propose solutions for permanent rehabilitation. The reservoir bund has suffered recurring damages in the past due to geographical setting and soil conditions. Repair work to address soil erosion gullies due to rainfall are under way.