Yogesh Kabirdoss | Chennai UNTIL six months ago, Muthamma, an elderly woman, used to cook food using clean water from a well in her house. No longer. She now approaches her neighbours for clean water as her well has been contaminated with sewage. Muthamma is the only one in the locality who has a well. The rest source their water from hand pumps. Fortunately, sewage has not contaminated their water source so far. But on most streets of sectors I and II of Semathamman Nagar at Koyambedu, overflowing of sewage water from manholes is a common sight. It becomes worse when the sewage flows back into houses through the drainage system into bathrooms and toilets, and in some cases even kitchens. At least 600 families are affected by the problem. The area has become a natural breeding ground for mosquitoes, sparking fears of water-borne diseases. No wonder, a few families who rented properties there, vacated them citing lack of hygiene. The locals blame it on frequent blockages in the underground drainage system. Sar avanan, a resident of Anna Street there, says: "Flies breeding around the sewage water contaminate our food. We have been unable to protect our children from flies and mosquitoes.'' As bathrooms are flooded with sewage, some families use the public toilets at the Koyembedu wholesale vegetable market to attend the nature's call. "We have helpful neighbours who allow us to use their bathrooms and toilets. But it is not proper to ask them to share their loos every time. On most days, we use the public conveniences, which are located several hundred metres away from our area," says Latha, a housewife. While the problem surfaced about six months ago, it became acute in the past two months. Residents say they have lodged complaints multiple times, apparently without success. When contacted, an official attached to Depot 65 of Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board assured Express that sewage clearing vehicles would be pressed into service soon to clear the blocks in the drainage system. How soon? That is what people want to know.