The struggle to keep it flowing

Even as the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to carry out 100 per cent purification of sewage water in the district,a recent study conducted by the district administration and the MPCB shows that only 40 per cent of the total sewage water is treated before it is discharged into the rivers—Mula,Mutha and Pavana in Pune.

A report by the civic bodies shows that the oxygen content in river water at various places in the city is at an all time low. The study says there is high content of domestic effluent discharge,beyond permissible limits,at these places.

“The level of pollution in river water is very high. We have now written to the civic bodies to take necessary action plans,’’said a senior MPCB official. Incidentally,both Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) are facing Water Act violation charges and the court hearings have been going on since 2000.

“The PMC is seeking more funds to set up better water treatment plants and it has asked for time till the end of this year,’’ said the official. The PMC generates around 740 MLD sewage water daily,of which 527 MLD water is treated and 230 MLD water is directly discharged into the rivers. At present,there are nine sewarage treatment plants in the city.

Senior civic officials said the PMC had sought more funds from the central government to set up treatment plants. This should be completed by the year-end,said a PMC official. Meanwhile,around 250 MLD sewage water is generated in the jurisdiction of PCMC,of which 207 MLD water is treated while 48 MLD remains untreated. In rural and cantonment areas,a large share of sewage water is not treated.

“Water at different places in the city is absolutely not usable,’’ says the MPCB official. The survey says domestic effluents include dissolved oxygen,biochemical oxygen,domestic effluents and human/animal waste.

“The assessment at Khadakwasla,Vitthalwadi,Deccan,Vir Sawarkar Bhavan,Sangam,Bundgarden and Mundhwa showed that dissolved oxygen contentin water is very low in these places.”

While dissolved oxygen should be more than six mg per litre,the assessment at all the sites showed that it was less than five mg; at some places it was just 0.5 mg. Last year,the MPCB had come up with a comprehensive plan to conserve rivers in the district. The plan covers the sources of water pollution and the points from where domestic and industrial effluents are discharged into the rivers,from Lonavla to the Ujani Dam area. The main rivers to be covered are Bhima,Ghodganga,Indrayani,Pavana,Mula,Mutha and Nira,and their tributeries.