With swans swimming around in it, the water in Madipakkam lake looks clean and clear. But just a few days ago, the lake was covered with hundreds of dead fish, raising a stink that the residents of Ayyappa Nagar were unable to bear.
Thanks to the timely efforts of the Corporation of Chennai, with assistance from Pratiks Enviro Foundation, the lake has been cleaned in three days.
Rajagopalan, a 63-year-old shopkeeper, whose shop stands opposite the lake, said, “On Thursday, hundreds of fish were lying in the lake. The corporation came and checked the water. Over the next two days, they put some white powder in the water and removed all the dead fish.”
The Corporation consulted the Pratiks Enviro Foundation for help with restoring the lake. Dakshayani S Dalavai, Managing Trustee of the foundation told The News Minute, “The low level of oxygen in the lake was the reason for the fish dying. Due to excess flow of sewage in the lake, the green algae began growing and it consumed more oxygen. Technically, the oxygen level should be about 6-7mg/litre, but the day the fish died, it was below 1mg/litre,” she said.
She added, “We cut off all the sewage inlet into the lake and treated it. We also put doses of oxygen granules into the lake. Now, it has cleaner water, which was earlier light greenish in colour,” she said.
Residents say that the lake is now visibly cleaner. “The lake is now very clean and there is no smell. There are mosquitoes but it is like any other place,” said Jabukumar, (31), who works in a private company.
However, some residents still complain of odours coming from the lake. “There is still some bad smell from the lake. It is difficult for elderly people who go for morning walks around the lake,” said Sridevi, (32), housewife.
Panchanathan, another resident of the area said that the Corporation has to be vigilant as sewage from nearby areas flows into the lake, and this has to be prevented.