Faecal contamination beyond permissible limits in Kadambrayar, Chitrapuzha

Faecal contamination exceeded the maximum permissible limits along the Brahmapuram and Manakkakadavu stretches of the Kadambrayar and the Irumpanam stretch of the Chitrapuzha in Ernakulam in February 2025.

While the maximum permissible limit is less than 2,500 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml under the criteria for bathing prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the total coliform count was 5,400 MPN/100 ml on the Brahmapuram stretch of the Kadambrayar, according to the analysis report on polluted river stretches submitted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) for the month of February 2025 before the Ministry of Jal Shakthi on March 24, 2025.

The analysis of water samples is done as part of the CPCB’s National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Samples are collected from fixed locations on the Manakkakadavu and Brahmapuram stretches of the Kadambrayar and the Irumpanam section along the Chitrapuzha every month as part of the monitoring programme.

The total coliform count on the Manakkakadavu stretch of the Kadambrayar was 2,700 MPN/100 ml. On the Irumpanam stretch of the Chitrapuzha, the total coliform count was 7,900 MPN/100 ml.

A report submitted by the Department of Environment dated March 17, 2025 before the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal had said that the pollution in the Kadambrayar was due to discharge of domestic effluents from townships and households through drains and creeks that lead to the waterbody. The discharge of leachate, if any, from the Brahmapuram plant and flow restrictions due to the growth of water hyacinths increased the severity of pollution, it said.

The report said that an action plan had been initiated to check pollution, and that it included issuing directives for setting up sewage treatment plants and imposing penalty on those found violating rules under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.