High Coliform Levels Found in Four Sections of Periyar River

Speedy Summary

• Faecal contamination in the Periyar River exceeded maximum permissible limits across four monitoring stations (Aluva, Eloor, Kalamassery, Pathalam) from April 2025 to June 2025.
• At Aluva’s sewage discharge point, faecal coliform levels reached 70,000 MPN/100 ml, far exceeding the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) limit for bathing water (<2,500 MPN/100 ml).
• Eloor stretch recorded coliform levels ranging from 3,200 MPN/100 ml to 7,000 MPN/100 ml during this period.
• Additional findings:

– Coliform count at Aluva discharge point peaked at 21,000 MPN/100 ml in April.
– Pathalam registered 5,400 MPN/100 ml in May.
– Kalamassery had counts of 5,800 and 2,800 MPN/100 ml in April and May respectively.

• The testing was part of CPCB’s National Water Quality Monitoring Programme conducted monthly at fixed stations along the Periyar River.
• Earlier monitoring from January to December 2024 showed non-compliance wiht primary bathing quality norms across 13 locations along the river due to factors like dissolved oxygen levels and bacterial contaminants.

Published: September 04, 2025

Indian Opinion Analysis

The repeated instances of faecal contamination and failure to meet water quality benchmarks highlight persistent challenges associated with pollution management along Kerala’s meaningful waterways like the Periyar River. The data underscores ample health risks for communities relying on these stretches for daily activities such as bathing or other forms of contact with polluted water.

This also raises questions about enforcement gaps or infrastructural inefficiencies concerning sewage management systems and industrial effluents that may contribute to pollution spikes near zones like Aluva’s discharge points. As Periyar plays a vital role both economically and environmentally across districts such as Ernakulam and Thrissur-it is apparent that sustained multi-agency efforts will be essential moving forward.

Enhanced public awareness initiatives coupled with technological solutions targeting wastewater treatment might represent plausible steps toward mitigating long-term environmental degradation alongside community health hazards evident through continuous monitoring data.

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