Sat Nov 22 19:43:42 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article:
A stretch of the Cooum River near the Putlur check dam in Tiruvallur, India, is threatened by untreated sewage discharge from residential areas due to urbanization, a dysfunctional sewage treatment plant (STP), and inadequate sewage disposal systems. This pollution is impacting groundwater quality, which residents rely on for drinking and irrigation, and undermining efforts to store freshwater in check dams. Residents are demanding improvements to the STP and stricter monitoring of sewage quality. The Tiruvallur municipality and the Water Resources Department (WRD) claim to be taking measures, including upgrading the existing STP, building a new STP, using Bacillus bacteria-based chemicals, and considering a project to install shutters in the check dam to improve water storage and reduce siltation.
Here’s a rewritten version as a news article:
Cooum River Facing Sewage Crisis, Threatening Water Supply
CHENNAI, November 23, 2025 – A vital stretch of the Cooum River in Tiruvallur district, located just 40 km from Chennai, is battling severe pollution as untreated sewage continues to flow into its waters. Residents fear the contamination will jeopardize efforts to preserve freshwater and compromise the quality of groundwater, a crucial resource for drinking and irrigation.
The primary culprit is the discharge of thousands of liters of raw sewage from residential areas due to urbanization and a failing sewage disposal system. Locals point to a dysfunctional sewage treatment plant (STP) in Periyakuppam as a significant factor exacerbating the problem.
“The check dam in Putlur is vital for our water needs,” said D. Anandhakrishnan, a resident of Manavalan Nagar. “Groundwater is readily available, but the quality is rapidly deteriorating as the river is choked with sewage.”
The Manavalan Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association has been petitioning authorities to address the issue, demanding that sewage be properly treated before being released into the river. Residents have also raised concerns that borewells sunk by the local body along the riverbed are drawing contaminated water.
In response to the growing outcry, Tiruvallur municipality chairperson P. Udhayamalar stated that measures are underway to control odor at the existing STP and incorporate more advanced treatment technology. An additional STP, costing ₹10 crore, is expected to be commissioned near Putlur in the coming months.
Poonamallee MLA A. Krishnaswamy highlighted the use of Bacillus bacteria-based chemicals to break down pollutants. The Water Resources Department (WRD) officials added that the local body has been instructed to maintain treated sewage quality within acceptable limits. Additionally, a ₹13 crore project to install shutters in the Putlur check dam to improve water storage and reduce siltation is under consideration.
While officials claim improvements have been observed in the past three months, residents remain vigilant, emphasizing the urgent need for effective, long-term solutions to safeguard the Cooum River and protect the region’s critical water resources.
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