CHENNAI: For nearly a decade, residents of Sadayankuppam near Manali have been waiting for clean piped drinking water, a demand that remains unmet despite repeated petitions to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). Around 300 families live in the locality.

Every morning, residents walk several hundred metres to collect water from a common street tap that functions for barely four hours.

“Water is supplied between 6 am and 10 am. I have to endure knee pain and walk 200 metres to fill 6-7 pots every day,” lamented N Tamil Selvi, a senior citizen. “The water is often pale yellow and contains small worms and insects. We have to use plastic water filters, or buy cans for drinking and cooking.”

Residents recalled that the Metro Water Department had laid the under

See Full Page