Quality flows out of Neyyar river

Thiruvananthapuram: Improper sanitation, salinity and human activities have impacted on the water quality in the Neyyar river basin in Thiruvananthapuram. An environmental monitoring programme, conducted by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), has reported poor quality of both surface and groundwater resources in the basin. Analysis of water samples collected from the Neyyar river revealed salinity intrusion in the downstream stretches. Most of the water samples were contaminated with faecal matter and microbes like E.Coli. Both the river water and groundwater samples showed acidity, indicating a major quality problem in the Neyyar basin. Poor quality groundwater was found in the Neyyatinkara municipality, Chenkal, Kulathoor, Poovar, Thirupuram, Amboori, Kallikadu, Ottasekharamangalam, Kattakada, Poovachal and Athiyannur. About 95 per cent of the samples collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons and 98 per cent collected during the monsoon were found to be unsuitable for drinking. Based on the results of biological analysis, the survey team concluded that sewage and other domestic waste pose a threat to the Neyyar river. With several feeder canals and streams carrying sewage, the river bed has a high organic load. Several species of worms like chironomus, tubifex and other oligochaetan worms were reported in the river bed near the Neyyatinkara township and at Poovar where the river enters the Lakshadweep Sea, indicating a high level of organic pollution. However, no industrial or chemical pollution was detected. Aquatic life was reported to be under serious threat in the river at locations like Koombichal, Neyyatinkara and Poovar. Several monitoring stations reported high content of iron in water during the pre-monsoon and acidity in the post-monsoon period. Assessment of samples collected from downstream revealed that the water is unsuitable for irrigation. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan released a report on the environmental monitoring programme conducted in the Neyyar, Periyar and Kabani river basins at a function organised by KSCSTE here on Friday in connection with the World Environment Day celebrations.

 

The Hindu, 7th June, 2009