Abstract
Ariyalur city, situated in Tamil Nadu is rich in limestone, and many cement factories are located in this place. Ground water is brackish and drinking water is supplied to some parts of Ariyalur from Coleroon. Hence, people are using available ground water and water from lakes. Six lakes, Thamaraieri, Cinneri, Chitaeri, Perieri, Theppakulam and Kallankuruchi are important lakes around Ariyalur and all these are contaminated with bacteria. Of these lakes, Thamaraieri, Chitaeri and Theppakulam were found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria. Hence, a detailed population survey was carried out. The study shows that there are outbreaks of epidemics in persons using the water from the five lakes except Perieri lake, every four months, which goes unnoticed and unreported. The people live below poverty line and take local medicines for treatment of their illness. Remedial measures are suggested in the study to curb epidemics.