Dirty water flows into Mahamaham Tank in Kumbakonam; officials swing into action

A small quantity of black water entered the Mahamagam Tank at Kumbakonam, through the Arasalaru water inlet channel on Saturday.

Inquiries reveal that passers-by were taken aback on noticing black foul smelling water entering the sacred tank at Kumbakonam around noon on March 14 and some of them captured the water mixing with the tank water and generating foams on their mobiles.

As soon as they posted the videos on social media, it went viral attracting the attention of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department officials and as well as that of the Water Resources Department, which pumps in fresh water from nearby Arasalaru into the tank.

Subsequently, the officials reached the tank and alerted the Kumbakonam Corporation to suspend pumping of sewage through the underground sewer network lines in the vicinity of the tank.

On hearing about the development, Kumbakonam MLA G. Anbalagan inspected the tank. After discussing with the officials, the MLA said that the black water that entered through the Arasalaru water inlet channel was nothing but the water that had ‘accumulated and remained un-pumped for long period’ at the Arasalaru end.

As the water flow was revived through the 300-metre inlet channel after a brief period, the residues that settled on the channel bed was pushed into the tankbed initially along with the ‘accumulated un-pumped water’.

Steps were taken to spray disinfectants to ensure safe water was available at the tank before the float festival of Sri Aadhikumbeswarar temple to be held at this tank during the first week of April, he added.