At least half a dozen lakes in Kancheepuram district are facing water contamination due to draining of untreated sewer.
After four decades, the civic officials have finally woken up to groundwater contamination at the Veeraraghavan lake near Thiruneermalai. On Tuesday desilting works began at the historical lake. However, several other lakes are crying for attention and suffer oxygen depletion.
Official sources said Veeraraghavan lake has a history over a century and spreads to a sprawling area of over 20 acres. For the past several decades the water body was not desilted and the draining of sewer into the lake has affected the groundwater table.
The bore wells in the area have failed to serve any purpose, as the water is unfit for consumption. As there was financial crunch, the Tiruneermalai town panchayat approached the St Thomas Mount panchayat union office for funds.
But as the union office has turned down the request the local civic body has planned to utilise its general funds and restore the water body, sources said adding that the ground water table in the Lakhsmipuram, New Colony in Chromepet has been adversely affected and the restoration of the lake would improve the quality of ground water table.
When contacted Ms Kalaivani Kamaraj, president, Thiruneermalai town panchayat, said that the lake would be beautified. The bunds will be strengthened and new footpaths will be built to benefit morning walkers. Water hyacinths are removed and the local body would spend `11 lakh to spruce the water body, the president added.
“Civic associations and resident welfare organisations have been demanding an exclusive water protection body,” says D. Vijayakumar, a civic activist based in Tambaram.