17 June,2011 11:26 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
A recent survey conducted by the state's pollution control board has revealed that the pollution levels in the rivers and creeks have risen alarmingly
A recent survey report conducted by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has revealed that the city's water bodies are in a critical condition. Of the 248 locations that were surveyed by the board, samples from 43 locations have exceeded the physico-chemical (nitrate, pH level, BOD level etc) parameters a shocking 100 per cent of the time.
Beyond limits: Water samples from all the 29 beaches and seafronts
exceeded the permissible BOD value by 100 per cent. File pic
MiD DAY has obtained a copy of this survey report. Samples from the rivers, upon examination revealed that the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values have exceeded the MPCB standard of 5mg/1itre. This condition afflicts the River Vaitarna, located to the north of the city, which has been supplying water to the teeming metropolis for several decades. The water from the River Godavari also registered higher than permissible BOD values. The report detected that the townships located on the banks of the rivers were the primary source of pollution. The high BOD values were also attributed to the poor performance of domestic wastewater treatment plants.
Out of the 248 locations monitored, samples have exceeded permissible limits at 140 locations 50 percent of the time, and 75 per cent of the time at 103 locations. At the remaining 43 locations, the parameters exceeded the standard 100 per cent of the times that the samples were taken.
"Samples from locations close to the cities showed noncompliance of standards. At several locations the power of Hydrogen pH values were not within the MPCB standard of 6.0 to 8.5," revealed an official from MPCB.u00a0 He explained that such extreme pH count could result in rapid decline of the aquatic population of the water body, as well as alteration in flora and fauna. Speaking to MiD DAY, MPCB official Ajit saraf said, "The survey has been done for three consecutive years during the period 2007-2009. We examined 59 rivers at 248 locations, 33 costal water and about 3500 groundwater stations in 35 districts of Maharashtra. We are now analysing the factors leading to such pollution. As soon as we figure out what they are, we will take necessary action."
The report revealed that water in creeks like Ganpatipule, Bhagwati Bunder, Karambhane and the Mandavi Bunder were in good condition, whereas samples from all the other seafronts and creeks in Maharashtra were poor. Water samples from all the 29 beaches and seafronts exceeded the permissible BOD value by 100 per cent.
Polluting factors
Encroachment, discharge from industries, idol immersion, public bathing all cause pollution of water
Groundwater
Samples from 87 talukas have nitrate levels above desirable limits. At 34 locations the levels were within limits.
