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SPCB sounds alarm bells

BHUBANESWAR: Even before 10 per cent of industrial proposals has got materialised in Orissa, water quality of its three major rivers are found to be below ‘acceptable’ level at most places.

State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has brought out a study by monitoring water quality of six rivers -- Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Rushikulya, Nagavali and Subarnarekha between 2000 and 2006.

The board studied different aspects, including physical parameters, organic pollution, bacteriological parameters, mineral constituents, nutrients, metals and other toxic compounds and biological indices before putting a label on the river water quality. The entire Mahanadi river stretch was in a state of slight to moderate pollution, according to the study. “The water quality at all stations except Sonepur, Tikarpara, Narasinghpur, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar is below acceptable level. An additional factor at Paradip is electrical conductivity."

Similarly, monitoring of Brahmani, which has already been found to be one of the worst polluted rivers in India, has given results on similar lines. “It is observed that except for the relatively undisturbed stretch of Bonaigarh to Talcher and at Dharmasala, the river water quality is not even acceptable during most of the period under report,” says the SPCB report.

Another major river, Baitarani, has given mixed results. “Considering different values, the present level of wholesomeness of the river water may be considered as excellent.”

“On introduction of FC values in the assessment, it is seen that excepting a few occasions, the river water quality is not acceptable,” says the report. Though the board has given favourable reports with regard to Rushikulya, Nagavali and Subarnarekha, it has found some particular stretches of these rivers are polluted due to discharge of industrial effluents.

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