In a statement, A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), stated as follows:
Drinking water contamination is a serious public-health problem in Tamil Nadu. Industrial waste, sewage mixing, agricultural chemicals, excessive groundwater extraction and various other causes are making drinking water lose its natural quality, leading to disease and deaths. In 2024, this problem reportedly resulted in around one lakh cases of diarrhoea, 25,000 cases of typhoid and 70 cases of cholera in Tamil Nadu. Drinking water contamination is also a contributing factor in kidney damage, cancer, skin diseases and respiratory problems.
Considering this, the main drinking water analysis centres in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli carry out quality testing three times a year to ensure quality drinking water supply by local bodies. Panchayats in Tamil Nadu do not have laboratory facilities for drinking water quality testing. The government therefore planned to establish drinking water analysis centres in all 38 districts. Accordingly, 126 people, including laboratory technicians and assistants, were appointed by the Tamil Nadu Government in March 2025.
As there were no drinking water testing laboratories in the districts, 42 chemists were posted in Primary Health Centre laboratories. The remaining staff were posted in the four main drinking water analysis centres. However, in October 2025 all 126 employees were relieved from the duties assigned to them. The Director of Public Health explained that their salaries had been paid under the Jal Jeevan Mission and that they were removed because funds had not been received. As a result, the employees who joined this work and were subsequently relieved are facing hardship.
Only by establishing drinking water quality-testing centres in the districts can the nature of water be examined and resulting diseases and impacts prevented. Chemical contaminants, high TDS, heavy metals, chloride, sulphate and fluoride mixing with water have now become common. As water contamination is frequent during monsoons, floods and drought, water testing is important. Timely testing of treatment plants and drinking water distribution is possible only when such facilities exist in the districts.
Operating district-level drinking water quality-testing centres would enable safe drinking water to be provided to people, based on quick and reliable test results reaching down to the panchayat level. Therefore, to meet World Health Organization guidelines and protect public welfare, it is essential to establish drinking water quality laboratories in all districts of Tamil Nadu. Those who previously worked in these posts should be reappointed, and the Tamil Nadu Government itself should allocate the necessary funds so that this public-health programme operates without interruption.
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).
