Tambaram residents irked over additional water deposit charges

Residents of Tambaram say they have long struggled with inconsistent water supply, often relying on private water tankers, water cans, or groundwater from borewells to meet their needs. But what has truly irked them is a notice demanding additional water deposit charges.

Residents of Tambaram say they have long struggled with inconsistent water supply, often relying on private water tankers, water cans, or groundwater from borewells to meet their needs. But what has truly irked them is a notice demanding additional water deposit charges.

A resident of Tambaram, who lives in an apartment complex with 10 houses and two water connections, says all the houseowners in the building received a notice in July 2024, requesting an additional charge of ₹7,500 with a notifcation that said, ‘Water Charges deposit due’.

“This comes as a shock,” says S.M. Govindarajan, president of Federation of Residents Welfare Associations of Tambaram Corporation. “We were only informed that the deposit was ₹5,000 for each flat owner. And now, without any prior discussion, we have been asked to cough up an additional amount, which is pushing the total deposit to ₹12,500, especially when the water supply is inconsistent once in a week or so. This is a major decision but there has been no G.O.,” he adds.

Social activist V. Santhanam is on the same page, saying: “When water deposit charges are revised or hiked, Tambaram corporation should inform us and have a discussion beforehand. How are we supposed to pay these charges when the water supply is unpredictable?”

Furthermore, Mr. Santhanam points out that the water meters installed when the connections were first set up are either missing or not being used, and residents are displeased with the lack of information about the quantity and duration of water supply. “We are not willing to pay such a high amount for unreliable water supply and will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL),” says Mr. Govindarajan.

Acknowledging the revision in the total amount, a senior engineer at the Tambaram Corporation commented on the consistency of the water supply, saying: “Since water withdrawal from the Veeranam tank was suspended briefly, there was a shortage. But usually, we send out water once in three days.”