Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

PCB issues notice to Corporation

Special Correspondent

Leachate is contamination the Karamana river, streams

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued a notice to the City Corporation directing it to take immediate measures to check the flow of leachate from the dumping site adjacent to the garbage processing plant at Vilappilsala.

The notice issued by the PCB Environmental Engineer on Tuesday observes that the leachate is responsible for the contamination of the Karamana river and the Chowalloor and Meenampally streams.

The PCB notice claims that samples collected from the waterbodies had revealed contamination, affecting water quality and endangering aquatic life. The water in the Karamana river at the Manalayam intake point is not suitable for drinking.

The temporary measures adopted by the Corporation to control the flow of leachate are inadequate, the notice said.

Pointing out that the proposal to cap the dumping site at Vilappilsala had not taken off, it warned of legal action under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Chairman of the Health standing committee G.R. Anil said the Corporation had begun work on sealing the dumping site at Vilappilsala. "The work was launched on Wednesday and we have informed the PCB," he said.

Capping project

The first phase of the capping project involves the construction of a drain and sidewall to prevent the leachate from flowing into the stream downhill. "Once this phase is completed, the pollution problem can be effectively managed," he said.

The Corporation has tied up with the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD) to implement the project.

The proposed closure of the dumping site involves covering the accumulated waste with multiple layers of clay, high-density polyethylene and hard soil. The capped dump will be landscaped to regenerate the environment. COSTFORD will construct a drain around the site to divert rainwater to the nearby stream.

A diaphragm wall is to be built at the bottom of the slope to prevent water from seeping into the ground. The leachate from the dump will be collected in tanks, recycled in an oxidation plant and diverted back to the processing plant.

The treatment plant, based on composting technology to convert garbage into organic manure, is not equipped to handle non-biodegradable wastes. In the absence of a system to segregate the waste, the plant is forced to handle a huge quantum of garbage.

Only 20 per cent of the solid waste reaching the plant is turned into compost, with the rest is dumped on the premises. Over the years, the dumping site has grown in size, and now covers an entire hillside.

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