With no response from the district administration and from local bodies, residents of Chettinayakkanpatti and nearby residential areas started cleaning Mandhaikulam, a rural tank, which was highly polluted by industrial and domestic waste.
It is the only source to feed cattle and goats and to recharge wells and bore-wells at the village and nearby areas.
It had become a place for draining sewage water from RM Colony and Rajakkapatti and contaminated water discharged from industries, said local people. Industrial waste, poultry and meat waste were also dumped in the tank. With no preventive measures, the colour of the water changed. The quality of the water was affected and foul smell was emanating from the tank. It was the prime breeding centre for mosquitoes and flies, the said.