Introduction
Wastewater pollution is a critical environmental issue that affects the water quality, human health and ecosystems. Large amounts of untreated or partially treated water are released into natural water bodies by various industrial sectors, causing accumulation of excess nutrients and toxic pollutants. The major contributing sectors are textile, chemical manufacturing, food processing, paper, etc, each of which release distinct contaminants that taint drinking water supplies and harm aquatic life. To lessen these effects, prevention of pollutants from entering the ecosystem, preserving biodiversity and effective treatment is crucial.
Advanced treatment technologies offer sustainable solutions to remove contaminants, recycle wastewater and reduce the impact of industrial pollutants. These innovative approaches not only target pollution reduction but also supports a circular economy aligning with eco-friendly practices that help preserve natural resources and protect aquatic ecosystem.
Presented below are the three case studies illustrating the impact of industrial waste mismanagement on water bodies in Maharashtra.
The color changing river
The Kasadi river, a vital water resource for Maharashtra’s, Taloja MIDC and its 10,858 residents, has been severely impacted due to an aggressive industrial activity in the region. The river flows through highly industrialized zones and has become an environmental casualty as industries have been constantly discharging untreated waste into the water body. Following numerous complaints from locals, a quality assessment was done by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which revealed alarming outcomes. The high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels indicated oxygen depletion, posing a serious threat to aquatic life and unsafe for human consumption. Even the chloride concentrations were found above permissible limits. Due to industrial effluents, the river changes colour every day. The issue gained international attention when the dogs mysteriously turned blue, creating a health scare among locals. Post investigation, it was found out the blue colour was a result of the dumping of indigo dye into the Kasadi river by the textile industries.
Due to the unrelenting discharge of wastewater into the river without adequate treatment, the river now smells foul and causes a burning sensation in the eyes. At instances, even the birds flying over Taloja MIDC, unexpectedly dropped dead. Once home to more than forty-five different species of fishes, the Kasadi River was deemed unsuitable for fishing in 2013. The local authorities are trying to reduce the Kasadi River pollution by taking action against the Taloja MIDC.
By implementing the circular economy, enterprises can increase their efficiency by recycling wastewater or turning sludge and organic nutrients into fertilizer.
A Lifeline Choked by Pollution
The Ulhas River, flowing through the Thane and Raigad districts of Maharashtra, has been subjected to significant pollution due to urban runoff and industrial waste discharge. The river receives untreated effluents from various industries, including textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals along with sewage from nearby residential areas. Elevation of heavy metals, and hazardous concentrations not only pose a threat to aquatic life but also compromise water quality for human usage, which in return affects the health of people who rely on it as a water source. It was also observed that the textile effluent containing dyes turned the water in Ulhas River turquoise.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the supreme court have often issued directions in response to this persistent pollution problem. MPCB has been directed to implement stringent measures to reduce pollution in the Ulhas river. Despite regulatory actions and public outburst, pollutions levels are high, demanding on site reuse and recycle of effluent water to restore the health of Ulhas River.
Mithi’s Murky Waters
The Mithi River, whose name means “sweet”, once flowed with crystal clear water through the city of Mumbai, a decade ago. However, it has sadly lost its sweetness as floating garbage now chokes its surfaces, obscuring the water beneath. Once considered a lifeline, the river’s mouth has become notorious for having some of the most polluted beaches in the world, highlighting the severe environmental degradation faced by one of India’s most populous cities. About 70-80% of the river pollution sources are due to the wastewaters generated because of inadequate sewage management systems. This contribution combined with industrial discharges makes the situation even worse. The river showed alarming pollution levels in the recent samples taken from the industrial zones. The BOD and COD levels went up to 454 mg/L and 775 mg/L, respectively. The MPCB in 2018 requested the housing societies along the river to install Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in their property premises to lessen the amount of domestic waste being dumped straight into the water. This can be achieved by the adoption of decentralized STP’s by housing communities along the coast of the river. Along with that; since the habit and negligence related with littering are socioeconomic issues, it is crucial to comprehend and educate the residents as well.
Conclusion
The severe deterioration of the Indian rivers such as Kasadi, Ulhas, and Mithi is a serious environmental crisis that requires prompt action. These case studies exemplify the deleterious consequences of unchecked industrial and agricultural effluent on fresh water bodies. Implementing circularity, fostering community engagement and boosting investments towards sustainable technologies, is crucial to securing a future characterized by safe and clean water access.
Sources
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#:~:text=prevent%20water%20pollution%3F-,What%20is%20water%20pollution%3F,to%20humans%20or%20the%20environment.
- https://earth5r.org/kasadi-river-pollution/#:~:text=This%20was%20a%20result%20of,river%20by%20the%20textile%20industries.&text=Due%20to%20industrial%20effluents%2C%20this%20river%20changes%20colour%20every%20day.&text=The%20stretch%20of%20river%20that,with%20foam%20covering%20its%20surface.
- https://www.mpcb.gov.in/sites/default/files/focus-area-reports-documents/UlhasRiverReport.pdf
- https://earth5r.org/earth5r-approach-pollution-mithi-river-india/
- https://www.mpcb.gov.in/sites/default/files/focus-area-reports-documents/MithiRiverPolluted%20Stretches.pdf
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