Discolouration of water has been reported from some parts of the Periyar river for the third consecutive day on Sunday.
The Periyar is the drinking water source for Kochi city and its adjoining areas.
The river was seen in turbid red colour in areas downstream of Pathalam.
The discolouration, which was visible from the early morning hours, lasted till 10 a.m. Though no fish deaths have been reported from the area, the colour change was visible, said Tensy, who lives on the banks of the river. Mr. Tensy feared that some industrial units might have released effluents into the river under the cover of darkness.
Incidentally, the recurring incidents of fish death and a report prepared by Bijoy Nandan, associate professor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology for the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), had run into a controversy. Environmentalists had burned copies of the report on Friday alleging that the report was attempting to deceive people by protecting the polluting agencies.
Confirming the discolouration, Lillikutty Jacob, executive engineer of the Environment Surveillance Centre of the KSPCB at Eloor, said the officials collected water samples for chemical analysis following the colour change.
Ms. Jacob said the Board officials could not find any evidence of discharge from the industrial units located on the banks of the river. All the discharge points were inspected after the colour change was reported.
A definite conclusion could be arrived at after obtaining the water analysis results on Monday, she said. There was also the possibility of sediments churning up in the rain the area received during the past few days, she said.
C.M. Joy, secretary of the Periyar Protection Council, called for toxicity tests on water that is released to the public distribution system in the wake of continuing colour changes and other pollution.
