Tiruppur’s Noyyal River water is unsafe to drink due to sewage discharge
The Noyyal River’s water is still unsafe to drink despite the total cessation of effluent treatment plant (ETP) discharge since sewage is being dumped into it in several locations across Tiruppur City. It is consequently imperative to expedite construction on the sewage treatment facilities that the municipal corporation is building.
According to TNPCB records, on February 26, authorities carried out a field water survey at several locations along the city’s river using hand-held Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meters. TDS was 1,610 mg per liter in water samples collected in Somanur village, which is the entrance point to Tiruppur city. However, it was 2,160 mg per liter in water samples collected in Athupalayam in Tiruppur city. Because home-based residential reverse osmosis (RO) devices cannot handle water with a TDS of 2,000 mg per litre, this makes the water unsafe for human consumption.
An officer from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) – Tiruppur north zone, in an interview with TNIE, said that TDS was about 8,000 mg–10,000 mg per liter in the past when dyeing facilities discharged effluent. This was really bad, but in early 2013, Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CEPTs) were installed, and things started to improve. The Noyyal River saw zero discharge after two years, and the water flow returned to its typical level. Nevertheless, we kept testing water samples and examining the amount of salt and chemicals dissolved in the water at various locations along the river. We discovered variance in a lot of areas.”
“The sample indicated TDS of 1,000–1,500 mg per litre when the river entered the Tiruppur district, which is close to the Sulur and Somanur area. However, as the river entered the city, it exceeded 2,000 mg per litre. Tiruppur city’s sewage discharge is the main reason of the 600 mg/litre increase. Ordinary home reverse osmosis devices are unable to handle this.
The coordinator of the Noyyal River Farmers Welfare Association, KS Thirunana Sambandam, stated: “A soak pit was a crucial component of the home drainage system that was previously owned by many residents.” It made it easier for them to gather and securely dispose of waste water from their homes. The 1990s saw a rise in dyeing unit effluent; however, this problem was resolved with the introduction of CEPTs. Nevertheless, the amount of sewage coming from homes grew, and Tiruppur City Corporation did nothing. The ecological harm that sewage water has caused to the Noyyal River saddens us.
A representative of the Tiruppur City Corporation said, “Sewage discharge is massive and it is increasing annually.” Only 19 wards in Tiruppur city are served by the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Periyapalayam, which can now handle only 15 MLD. We have finished the sewage pipes to STPs at a cost of Rs 119 crore, and the remaining 60 wards in the city are covered by them. Three STPs are being built at the moment. Two MLD plants, one in Kasipalayam Road and the other in Chinnan Nagar, were constructed at a cost of Rs 7.28 crore. In addition, two additional, at a cost of Rs 71.57 crore, at Sircar Periyapalayam (36 MLD) and Chinniampalayam (20 MLD), are almost finished.
