Kerala - Kochi   

Brahmapuram leachate polluting Kadambrayar

KOCHI: Leakage of leachate (black-coloured liquid) from the solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram is slowly contaminating the nearby Kadambrayar.

A source of water for nearby panchayats as well as a host of industries including the Infopark, Kadambrayar is one of the few freshwater sources remaining in the district.

The Brahmampuram site is also close to the confluence of three water bodies that include the Kadambrayar and Chitrapuzha streams and the Manakkathodu creek.

Residents have petitioned the Ombudsman for Local-Self Government institutions that the leachate from waste has polluted the precious water source.

In their complaint, the local population blamed the Kochi Corporation and the Hyquip Technologies (responsible for operating the plant) for the contamination of Kadambrayar.

Residents have also approached the district administration demanding immediate relief to the problem.

Sources in the Pollution Control Board said that the shortcomings in the construction of the plant were a major reason for the leakage of leachate from the plant. Experts had earlier warned the corporation and Hyquip Technologies that the leachate from waste will contaminate the ground and the nearby Kadambrayar.

Board sources said that the delay in setting up a scientific plant for treating the leachate at the site was responsible for the present crisis.

According to estimates given by the board, municipal solid waste gives out leachate up to 0.4/kg. of biodegradable waste during the first few days of degradation.

The quantity of this leachate will be more during the monsoon when humidity is high. This is very toxic and extremely difficult to treat. If leachate contaminates the water body, it would extend to the whole backwaters area and fish catch would be affected, sources said.

Suggesting that the waste treatment system should comprise a leachate collection system in the plant and storm water collection drains, board officials said treatment of leachate was a tricky issue, as far as technology was concerned. It was more complex than sewage.

Additional anaerobic and aerobic lagoons and phytoremediation (treatment of environmental problems through the use of plants) have to be implemented.

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