Garbage, plastic items thrown into open well polluting water, complain Pammal residents

A well in Gowthanan Street, Pammal — which is regularly used by residents for drinking water — has been facing a pollution problem of late.

Residents complain that many people have been throwing plastic wastes and garbage in the well, polluting the water. They now have been demanding a fence around the well or a mesh cover for it to prevent such things from happening.

“We have submitted several complaints to the authorities, but no action has been taken yet and the water in the well keeps getting polluted,” said resident D Sujatha.

She also claimed that during the night the space near the well is frequented by used by tipplers to consume alcohol. “They not only consume alcohol but also throw the empty bottle into the well and pollute the water,” Sujatha said.

A senior official from Pammal municipality said that as per rule they cannot put a fence around the well since people use it regularly. 

He said the garbage was removed from the well. “It is also the public’s responsibility to understand the value of the water and know how precious it is,” the official said. He added that even the well’s pulley was once stolen by some miscreants.

The official said that the issue would be sorted out soon by involving local residents and welfare association.

Meanwhile, Mani, a garbage collector attached to the municipality, said he risks his life to clear garbage from the well since he does not know how to swim.

K Ramesh, another resident, also claimed that some school students regularly swim in the lake and dirty the water. “They also risk their lives by diving into the well,” he said. Ramesh also said that some residents also throw food, green leaves and other substance used for rituals into the well.

“Officials should think of a proper plan to save the well or else — like other wells in the State — turn to dust owing to ill-maintenance,” he said.