Tiruchi Corporation has planned a drive to ensure that all properties, especially those generating bulk sewage waste, have set up diaphragm chambers to prevent clogging of drains.

The move comes in the wake of frequent incidents of blockages in the underground drainage (UGD) network. Drains overflowing, sewers burst, and roads caving in due to frequent blockages have become common in many areas including Srirangam and Khajamalai.

Indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste, sanitary napkins, and other non-biodegradable materials, which enter the sewer lines, cause blockages and affect the entire system, besides posing a health hazard.

Diaphragm chambers are mandatory in hostels, hospitals, and other commercial establishments to filter solid waste from reaching the main sewage chambers and causing blockages. The mechanism will filter the solid waste, which will be collected in the silt chamber.

Earlier, the bulk waste generators were instructed to construct diaphragm chambers in their properties. However, it had been noticed that several properties had not set up diaphragm chambers to filter out non-degradable waste getting into underground drainage lines. Hence, the officials have been asked to carry out a drive to identify apartments, hotels, and commercial establishments that do not have diaphragm chambers in their wards.

Notices would be sent to the bulk waste generators, who had failed to set up diaphragm chambers, and would be asked to create the facility immediately, a senior Corporation official said.

Since there are frequent bursts of sewer lines and manhole leaks, diaphragm chambers are being built as part of the UGD project. The chambers are square boxes and measure around 1.25 feet in length and width and over one foot in depth.