Mangaluru: The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada has formed a committee to look into pollution of rivers in the district and submit a report within a month after a comprehensive study.
The order was issued in the backdrop of complaints and reports in the media about sewage water joining rivers in several parts of the district. Sullia Town Muncipal Council, Mangaluru City Corporation, Puttur City Muncipal Council and Bantwal Town Muncipal Council have been asked to study the extent of river water pollution in their respective territories. They have been asked to find the causes and draw an action plan to prevent river water pollution and suggest ways to implement the same.
The committee comprises environment experts from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Superintendent Engineer of Mangalore City Corporation, Executive Engineer of District Urban Development Cell, Executive Engineer of Zilla Panchayath Drinking Water Division, Commissioners of concerned local bodies and Panchayath Development Officers of Gram Panchayaths . The team has been asked to visit each affected area and submit a report after a comprehensive study.
Water from underground drains continues to flow into Kandadka river, ultimately to touch the mouth of the river Payaswini. This is the source of drinking water for millions of people in the district, who rely on it. The water remains stagnant at many places, where plastic bottles, empty plates and all other forms of solid waste can be found. The unbearable stench at several places along the river path exposes the deteriorating condition. Few days ago, solid waste was found floating in muddy waters of river Nethravathi when flash summer showers lashed the district.
Only 70 connections linked to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Sullia town.
Sullia TMC spent about Rs 3 crore on sewage water treatment plant in the town to treat 2MLD of sewage water daily. The facility is meant to connect more than 2000 individual sewer connections but figures reveal that only 70 are linked to the drain that connects the sewage treatment plant. To make matters worse, the underground sewage drain works including those of chambers has remained incomplete at several places. All other untreated sewage flows into the river through the drains meant to guide rain water into the river.
TMC officials have assured of setting right the drainage system by providing proper connections ultimately guide the sewage water to STP. Some have suggested digging large pits on the river banks to guide the sewage water and the then route it to STP for processing.