The National Green Tribunal has demanded another report from the agency, unsatisfied with the lack of clarity on the cause of deaths and illnesses.

CHENNAI: More than two months after three people in Pallavaram died and more than 40 others were taken ill due to suspected water contamination, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board has given itself a clean chit.
No harmful micro-organisms or sewage contamination was found in the water samples, said the report submitted to National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday. Unhappy with TWAD for failing to pinpoint the cause of deaths and diseases, NGT has asked the agency to file an additional report before April 18.

On Dec 3, 2024, after three residents of Pallavaram Cantonment died and several others were hospitalised, govt officials and ministers attributed the problem to food poisoning. Despite public outcry, officials kept the water test results confidenti-al and refused to disclose the source of the water – whether it came from pipelines or tankers.

Even after boiling water, it tastes awful, says resident

A TOI report later flagged potential pathogens in some pipelines supplying the affected area, prompting the National Green Tribunal’s southern zone to order an inspection by TWAD, pollution control board, and other state agencies.
The report, now submitted before NGT, says TWAD supplied water to the affected area through sumps managed by Tambaram city corporation (ward-13) and Pallavaram Cantonment Board (ward-6).
Samples were tested for physical, chemical, and bacteriological quality at TWAD’s state-level water testing lab in Chepauk. “The results found no evidence of harmful microorganisms or sewage contamination,” said TWAD managing director V Dakshinamoorthy.
Tests conducted from Dec 9 to 12 at eight locations found residual chlorine levels within safe limits, the report said.
“The water we have been getting is yellow in colour. Even after boiling it tastes awful,” said Shakila, whose son was hospitalised with stomach pain.
TWAD said that inspections found no leak or damage to the pipelines, sumps, or pump houses. Yet, as a precaution, all sumps were cleaned, pipelines flushed, and chlorination carried out before resuming supply, the agency said.