MCC lets untreated sewage into Phalguni River

Sewage collected at its Pachchanadi Treatment Plant is let into the adjoining stream

The Mangaluru City Corporation, which is supposed to ensure the well-being of residents, has been discharging silently untreated sewage to Phalguni (Gurupura) River.

Sewage collected at its Pachchanadi sewage treatment plant is being let into the Pachchanadi Thodu (stream) away from public glare. The plant can treat 8.75 million litres per day sewage. The stream later joins the Phalguni ahead of the Malavoor Vented Dam built under Multi-Village Drinking Water Scheme for 12 surrounding villages.

When

The Hindu ventured to trace the source of water contamination that was reported in these columns a few days ago, it found sewage let out from the Pachchanadi plant to the stream located off Moodushedde- Bondel Road. The stream water, which used to be crystal clear, had turned blackish and was emanating foul smell.

Moodushedde Gram Panchayat President Hariprasad Shetty told

The Hindu that time and again MCC was told about letting out of sewage; but no action was taken. Whenever there is power failure, sewage was directly let into the stream for a long time, he claimed.

Mayor Harinath, however, attempted to defend the civic body, claiming once in a while sewage would have been let out and not always. When pointed out the reality, the mayor said he would immediately take action. The treatment plant is operated by a contractor and the MCC only overseas the work, he claimed.

Notices issued

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s Environment Officer Rajashekar Puranik told The Hindu that the Board had already issued notices to MCC Commissioner. The STP has become non-functional for about two months, and would be restored in about a week, he said.

Meanwhile, personnel managing the drinking water scheme said as of now, water quality at the vented dam has not deteriorated. However, the contamination would increase when the water levels recede, they said.

The project, catering to about 52,000 residents of 12 villages including Moodushedde, Bajpe, Permude etc., is on trial run, they said.

Other places too

Sewage is being let out to Pahlguni from other places too, including Gurupura Town, Baikampady Industrial Area and areas abutting the river in Mangaluru city. Sewage is let out into drains which later join the river thereby contaminating the water. A few days ago, several fish in the river had died near Kenjar village following reduced oxygen levels.