Water hyacinth chokes Vandiyur tank

The Vandiyur tank in Melamadai has almost disappeared under a green cover that jeopardizes the health of the body of water and also poses serious health risks.

The city’s second-largest tank is now choked with overgrown water hyacinth that has spread over a third of the entire 572-acre water body, says D. Raghavan, president of the Gomathipuram-Thendral Nagar Residents’ Association.

The tank is an important source of groundwater recharge for nearly 10 districts including Gomathipuram, Thendral Nagar, Anbu Nagar, Anna Nagar, KK Nagar, etc.

Despite various efforts by environmentalists in the city to remove the water hyacinth, regrowth of the invasive species is uncontrollable.

“Speaking of the stench emanating from the tank, which is also a mosquito breeding center, we have been looking for a sewage treatment plant to treat the effluent from the Aathikulam Canal entering the tank to stop the wild growth of the water hyacinth which is only thriving in contaminated water,” Mr Raghavan said.

“We have also asked the PWD to increase the water storage capacity of the Vandiyur tank and reclassify it as a potable water tank,” he added.

A member of the DHAN Foundation said the water hyacinth is an aquatic invasive species that increases evapotranspiration — the process of water evaporation from leaves by plant transpiration during photosynthesis — resulting in the water drying out more quickly.

He called for an end to illegal drainage of household sewage through underground pipes.

Last month, Minister of Water Resources Duraimurugan told the gathering that sanctions have been imposed for desludging the tank and that work to set up recreational activities such as boating will begin.

Each party that comes to power proposes different plans and makes big promises, but mostly it stays on paper, claimed M. Rajan, chief organizer, Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam.

“Concerned authorities also have to control the trucks that collect sewage from blocked septic tanks and empty the waste into the cistern early in the morning or late in the evening. This also has an impact on groundwater,” he said.

The DHAN founding member suggested that a phased desiltation process needs to be performed during the dry season to know the original water capacity of the lake.

Next, transforming the tank into an environmentally conscious recreation space is essential for people to bond with the tank, he said. The tank used to be an important bird watching spot, he added.

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