Residents noted that the Cooum river was a significant source of groundwater recharge in their locality.
A section of residents in Manavala Nagar near Chennai has taken to cartoons to draw attention to the growing sewage pollution in the upper reaches of the Cooum river, particularly near check dams.The clean stretch of Cooum river near Putlur check dam in Tiruvallur district, located about 40 km from Chennai, is heading towards degradation as in urban stretches owing to sewage release. Residents of Manavala Nagar, Tiruvallur, who have been fighting for restoration of the portion have now launched awareness campaigns through illustrations and cartoons.D. Anandhakrishnan, resident of Manavala Nagar, said “I decided to attract people’s attention towards the issue affecting groundwater through cartoons. These cartoons are titled ‘Koovam Kudineer’. The illustrations are gaining traction in social media and messaging apps than long messages and videos.”While some cartoons depict the network of check dams across the river and explain how water from Cooum river eventually reaches Chembarambakkam reservoir, one of the Chennai’s drinking water sources, others highlight concerns about declining groundwater levels.Residents noted that the Cooum river was a significant source of groundwater recharge in their locality. However, urbanisation, and lack of proper sewage treatment and disposal facility, often led to discharge of raw sewage into the clean stretch of the river. Members of Manavala Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association recently met Tiruvallur MLA T. Arunkumar to highlight the issue. C. Aravind of Manavala Nagar said the association requested the MLA to take measures to operate the dysfunctional Periakuppam sewage treatment plant and also increase sewage treatment capacity. Release of raw sewage not only affected the river but also Vengathur lake.Residents stressed the need for urgent measures to curb sewage pollution from the rapidly urbanising areas along the Cooum river to protect the groundwater recharge zones, residents noted. Published - June 08, 2026 05:00 am IST
