Kerala - Kochi   

Water sources in Kochi heavily polluted: study

KOCHI: Major canals in the Greater Kochi region remain polluted thanks to the indiscriminate dumping of urban waste into these freshwater bodies.

Studies conducted by the Cochin University of Science and Technology found that Mullassery canal, Thevara canal, Perandoor canal, Karanakkodamthodu, Koitharathodu, Edappallythodu, Poornipuzha, Changadampokthodu, Khareethodu and Punchathodu were heavily polluted by urban waste.

Freshwater sources, including Adimurithodu and western half of Edappally canal, were also polluted.

The study found that human interference was one of the main reasons for pollution of these canals. Untreated sewage was found dumped into these canals. Rapid urbanisation had affected the natural ecology of these water sources.

The studies revealed that majority of the streams found polluted were leading to Kadamprayar and Chitrapuzha. The morphology of the rivers had changed drastically following reclamation of wetlands lying close to these natural sources. Going by the present rate of pollution, Kadamprayar might turn into a wastewater source in 10 years.

Experts found that untreated sewage was found dumped into the canals. Water holding capacity of canals had shrunken due to the pressure of land development. The freshwater parts of the canals were severely polluted by the indiscriminate raw sewage discharge.

The study recommended that a system should be developed to collect and compost waste from slaughterhouses and fish markets.

It said that local water resources would have to be developed in tune with the upland development of Greater Kochi Region.

The study suggested land management and on-site waste disposal should be initiated to conserve canals in Kochi. It also pointed out that an enormous political will was required to restore the canals in its original form.

It said that canal monitoring and canal assessment were the pre-requisites for restoration of canals. Sewage treatment with polishing for all urban institutions and houses should be enforced strictly.

A regulatory compulsion for efficient on-site treatment of sewage should be introduced. Moreover, canal morphology should be protected, the study said.

If the greed for land eats into the natural drains, the city would have to drown in its own liquid wastes, as natural gradient was not conducive to a swift and efficient discharge of the runoff, it said.

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