Chennai: Residents of a few streets in Perambur and Anna Nagar have been relying on borewells and bottled water for drinking and cooking after the Metro Water supply to their homes developed a foul, sewage-like smell. The problem has been persistent for over a month.The complaints point to a wider problem in the city’s water-supply network, as Metrowater officials suspect it could be due to pipelines damaged during stormwater drain work in the two localities.Jagadish C of Ramachandran Street in Perambur said the water supplied to his area had a foul smell for nearly a month.“Initially, the water was discoloured. Officials checked it and fixed the issue, and now the colour is normal, but there is a strong odour,” he said, adding that the response from Metrowater officials had been poor despite repeated complaints.Sarala George of Patel Road in Perambur said piped water had not reached her house for at least 15 days. “Metrowater officials, while checking the issue, stopped the water supply to my house. It has not come till now,” she said.She added that residents had already faced inconvenience because of stormwater drain works, and that Metrowater workers were repeatedly digging up the road. “Many homes are forced to use borewell water, but it is not sufficient to meet their daily needs. They buy water cans for drinking and cooking purposes,” Jagadish stated.Metrowater officials in Zone 6 said they were addressing the issue and that it will be fixed soon.Residents of Anna Nagar have reported similar complaints. Ganesh S, a resident of N Block in Anna Nagar East, said the water supplied to his area smelled of sewage for nearly 15 days .“We use Metrowater only. Officials check and say the water is usable, but only we know how difficult it is,” he said. He said that a burst pipe on New Avadi Road might have caused the problem and that similar issues were being reported in nearby blocks.A Metrowater official said pipelines could be damaged during stormwater drain works, leading to contamination and foul-smelling water. Zone 8 Metrowater officials said the water had been checked and the issue rectified.
