With groundwater turning saline and taps running dry, clean drinking water is a luxury at Pazhayar

In the fishing village of Pazhayar along the Mayiladuthurai coast, clean drinking water has become a pricey commodity. With a population of over 6,500, the village faces a serious water crisis, aggravated by the failing public supply system.

Each household struggles to cope with the shortage: clusters of plastic pots and blue drums in the courtyard and doorstep are a telltale sign of the acute shortage of potable and non-potable water.

The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board supplies water to the village once in 10 days. And the water flows in dribs and drabs through the taps, say residents. “We don’t get enough water for even basic needs. The only overhead tank (OHT) in the village is almost always dry,” says Vanitha T., a fisherwoman who keeps hearth in the household of eight. “We spend ₹900 a month just on drinking water. For bathing, we buy four barrels a week at ₹80 each — another ₹560. If guests turn up or if men in the household return from fishing expedition, we need more water,” she says.

S. Asha, another resident, has a similar story to tell. Her family of four consumes three cans of drinking water a week, each sold by a private supplier for ₹20. “He says it’s mineral water. It has no label or branding, but we have no choice but to trust him,” she says. For bathing purposes, her household spends ₹240 weekly. “We don’t use this for washing clothes — that would be a luxury. We use the saline groundwater instead. Even plants die if we water them with it.”

Pazhayar falls under the Puthupattinam panchayat, which includes Madavamedu, Tharkas, and Puthupattinam villages. While all these villages report water shortage, Pazhayar is the worst hit as it is closest to the coast and suffers from severe salinity of groundwater. In the government middle school here, the situation is grim — students have no access to potable water and are forced to rely on privately sourced supplies.

Residents unanimously point to the unreliable water supply from TWAD Board. “We are entirely dependent on private sellers. We can’t afford this, but we have no choice,” said S. Sivaranjani.

‘Water diverted’

When contacted, a senior official from TWAD Board acknowledged that water was being sent to the village but cited illegal tapping along the supply routes as a major obstacle. “We are aware of diversions en route and lack of awareness among the people, which is compounding the problem,” the official said.

A senior official from the Mayiladuthurai district administration assured The Hindu that steps would be taken. “We will look into cases of illegal tapping and work towards a sustainable and amicable solution for the affected villages,” he said.