Valapattanam river samples reveal alarminglevels of chemical pollutants, bacteria

Valapattanam river

Water samples collected from Valapattanam river at Narath, Parassinikadavu and Pappinisseri have revealed alarming levels of chemical pollutants and harmful bacteria.

According to test reports of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB), the findings point to severe pollution in one of Kannur district’s major water sources, raising concerns about public health, aquatic life and the quality of drinking water in riverside areas.

P. Dharman, an activist and president of the Kannur regional committee of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, who obtained the report under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, said that it also indicated widespread violations of pollution control regulations by establishments operating along the river.

The issue came to the attention of the authorities following a complaint submitted by Mr. Dharman to the Kerala Legislative Assembly’s Environment Committee in 2021, highlighting the destruction of the river and its banks. Reports were subsequently sought from various departments, leading to a joint inspection coordinated by the District Pollution Control Board, with the participation of local self-government institutions and health officials.

The test results showed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD), an indicator of chemical pollution in water, was several times higher than the prescribed limits.

At Narath, the COD level was recorded at 3,584 milligrams per litre, compared with the prescribed limit of 250 mg/L for wastewater discharge. This was more than 14 times the prescribed limit.

At a drainage outlet near the Parassinikadavu temple, COD was recorded at 22,898 mg/L. The Parassinikadavu sample also contained 27,000 colony-forming units (CFU) of coliform bacteria per 100 millilitres. Faecal coliform bacteria, which indicate contamination by human or animal waste, were detected at levels of up to 5,000 CFU/100 ml.

Mr. Dharman said the findings pointed to severe contamination, with pollution levels exceeding the cited discharge standards.

He said the inspection found that several establishments were functioning without the required permits, valid licences or scientific treatment systems. Some had failed to renew their licences, while wastewater from riverside establishments was allegedly being discharged directly into public drains and the river without treatment.

The inspection found widespread waste dumping in the mangrove areas of Thuruthi. However, no major waste-related problems were reported in Chengalayi, Kottayoor, Anthoor municipality and Mayyil.

Mr. Dharman demanded strict action against establishments violating Pollution Control Board directives. He called for the installation of CCTV cameras at riverbank dumping hotspots and coordinated enforcement by the Revenue, Police, Forest and the Local Self-Government departments to prevent pollution, encroachment on river poramboke land and the illegal filling of riverbanks.