The lake is polluted with sewage released through stormwater drain network and channel bringing floodwater from catchment areas such as Pachamalai hills.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Sembakkam Lake, one of the major water bodies in southern fringes of the city, continues to face sewage pollution despite frequent representations for over three years now.
Chitlapakkam residents noted that though the northeast monsoon is around the corner, the water body remains choked with aquatic weeds as monsoon preparedness work is yet to begin.
Spread over nearly 100 acres, the lake is polluted with sewage released through stormwater drain (SWD) network and channel bringing floodwater from catchment areas such as Pachamalai hills. Residents of Sri Sarvamangala Nagar said the lake continued to be vulnerable to sewage pollution due to inadequate action by the government authorities.
Members of the Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents Welfare Association noted that the domestic sewage entered the lake through the SWD in Thiru. Vi. ka. Nagar and Sarvamangala Nagar First Main Road.
The absence of an underground sewer network in areas, including Maheswari Nagar, Iyappa Nagar and Hasthinapuram, led to sewage discharge into the lake. The association had filed a case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, seeking action against sewage pollution in the lake in 2017.
Citing a recent report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board before the NGT, M. Ravi, the association’s secretary said the report noted that areas surrounding the lake are yet to be provided with a sewer network. A major portion of the lake was covered with water hyacinth, indicating sewage contamination.
Water samples were collected and the analysis report is awaited. However, an earlier TNPCB analysis of water samples collected in 2024 found that fecal coliform and total coliform exceeded prescribed standards, indicating sewage in the lake.
Though sewer network has been provided in some parts, house service connections are yet to be given. Sewage from the incomplete sewer network also joined the lake, said residents.
The Water Resources Department and Tambaram municipal corporation highlight proposals to restore the lake, prevent sewage release and clear encroachments. But the projects are yet to materialise and the delay was also raised in the recent NGT directive, said Mr. Ravi.
Residents urged the authorities to link the network to Hasthinapuram sewage pumping station and convey to Perungudi sewage pumping station and execute comprehensive restoration measures.
Published – September 17, 2026 12:30 am IST
