The ‘city compost’ produced by the Kochi Corporation at its Brahmapuram solid waste management facility had the presence of heavy metals in exceeding concentration, tests done by the State Pollution Control Board have found.
The finding figured among the various shortcomings on the part of the civic body in maintaining the facility in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, and as directed by the State Level Monitoring Committee on Solid Waste Management set up by the National Green Tribunal.
Inspections by the board found that the quantity of manure produced out of the biodegradable waste dumped at the site was marginal compared to the daily waste collected at the facility.
No records were provided for assessing the quantity of manure production. Interestingly, the manure called ‘city compost’ was analysed for its fertilizer value. It was found that the manure did not meet the standards stipulated under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, said the report filed by the board. The civic body failed to set up anaerobic digesters proposed by the board that could have helped in reducing the quantity of solid waste till the waste-to-energy plant was operational. Also, no action was taken to install proper effluent treatment facilities.
The effluent facility installed just before the Regional Monitoring Committee (NGT) visit in January was found to be in a dilapidated condition. The corporation authorities had informed that they were transferring waste water to a nearby common septage treatment facility as suggested by the SLMC.
Site visits by the board found that all windrow sheds were in a dilapidated state, and the drain provided was found blocked with hard slurry flowing from the windrow compost yards and the primary biodegradable dumping area.
Though the civic body reported that work on the drain had almost been completed, it was found partially open, and there was every chance of oozed slurry from open dump sites and storm water entering it, said the report.
The corporation had installed nine surveillance cameras inside the plant. The board had proposed that all the cameras be connected to its regional office to help its surveillance team watch day-to-day operations at Brahmapuram and to initiate necessary follow-up action.
