Postmortem microbiological reports suggest Pallavaram deaths not due to water contamination

CHENNAI: Postmortem microbiological reports of three people who died in Pallavaram last year confirmed that their deaths were not due to water contamination, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) told the National Green Tribunal. The TNPCB said an acute diarrheal outbreak in the area was unrelated.
On Dec 3, 2024, three people died, and more than 40 residents of the Pallavaram Cantonment area fell ill with diarrhea and vomiting, initially suspected to be caused by contaminated govt-supplied drinking water.
Officials and ministers attributed the outbreak to food poisoning, drawing sharp criticism. NGT had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and ordered govt agencies to submit an inspection report.
Last month, the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board denied any responsibility, stating that water samples showed no harmful microorganisms or sewage contamination.
Tests conducted from Dec 9 to 12 at eight locations confirmed residual chlorine levels were within safe limits. The samples were analyzed for physical, chemical and bacteriological quality at TWAD’s state-level water testing lab in Chepauk, Chennai.
When TWAD presented its report at the NGT, tribunal members Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Satyagopal Korlapati criticized it for failing to explain the deaths or identify the cause of the outbreak. The tribunal has now directed TWAD to submit an additional report.
Meanwhile, citing replies submitted by the Tambaram Corporation, TNPCB joint chief engineer K Krishnasamy on Friday made a submission before the tribunal stating that “routine water quality testing and monitoring mechanisms are in place.”