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Effluents being dumped in Periyar

G. Krishnakumar

Findings of LAEC for Eloor and Edayar

KOCHI: The Local Area Environment Committee (LAEC) appointed by the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on Hazardous Wastes has found that industrial units in Eloor and Edayar have been employing various methods to dump effluents into the Periyar.

The LAEC findings have emerged out of an environmental audit conducted from November 2 last. During an inspection, the committee found that untreated effluent was being discharged by a company into an open pit at a distance of five metres near the Periyar.

Waste oil was seen discharged into an open drain on the premises of the unit leading to the river. A portable generator-cum-pump set was seen near the composite tank. The team members found a water hose having a length of 49.5 metres with five-inch diameter connected to the river and a pond near the riverside.

The hose was full of untreated effluent being pumped from a composite pond for discharge into the river. The effluent contained BOD, COD and suspended solids. The Committee found that the discharge of waste oil through a drain into the Periyar was illegal. Liquid effluent and waste oil were also dumped into the river.

Concealed pipelines

In another incident, the members found that a company has been using concealed pipelines to dilute effluents and discharge raw effluents to a natural stream leading to the river. The company was found using unauthorised concealed pipelines to discharge raw effluent directly into the water body and to dilute effluent flowing out of the effluent treatment plant.

Deep colouration of the river was found near a company site. The team, comprising officials of the State Pollution Control Board, experienced odour of tannery waste in the downstream. Effluent treatment plants were also found idle at some of the units. Most of the treatment units were filled with effluent. Tanks were filled with red coloured effluent generated from soaring tanks.

A pump was seen placed near the aeration tank in a unit with suction line from aeration tank and discharge line with hose connection. The team found that the functioning of the aeration tank was not proper. Odour on the riverbank and colouration were spotted in the river water near the outlet. This occurred due to direct pumping of effluent by using pump and hose through an authorised outlet.

The LAEC has observed that the environmental situation has improved following stringent measures being recommended by it. Most of the companies have also taken initiatives in implementing technology for checking pollution during the last six months.

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