Recent water quality assessments in Keralam have unveiled alarming levels of faecal contamination across six major rivers. The findings,part of the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), indicate that total coliform counts in polluted stretches of the Karamana, Periyar,Kadambrayar, Chitrapuzha, Chalakudy, and Kallai rivers ranged from 4,500 to 5.5 lakh MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml between February and May 2026.
The CPCB sets a maximum permissible limit of 2,500 MPN per 100 ml for total coliform in bathing water. However, the recent data shows significant violations at various monitoring stations. For instance, the Karamana river's Moonattumukku site recorded a total coliform count of 27,000 MPN/100 ml in February, with faecal coliform levels reaching 11,000 MPN/100 ml.
In April,the Periyar river exhibited a concerning spike in contamination levels. At the Eloor stretch,the total coliform count was 7,000 MPN/100 ml, while the Aluva monitoring station reported 4,600 MPN/100 ml. most alarming figure came from Pathalam,near Edayar industrial area, where the count soared to 2.5 lakh MPN/100 ml . The Kalamassery station also showed high levels at 63,000 MPN/100 ml.
Similarly,the Kadambrayar river showed troubling results, with Brahmapuram and Manakkakadavu monitoring stations recording total coliform counts of 79,000 and 40,000 MPN/100 ml,respectively. Chitrapuzha river's Irumpanam stretch had the highest recorded contamination, peaking at 5.5 lakh MPN/100 ml. The Chalakudy river's Pulikkkadavu station measured 7,000 MPN/100 ml, while the Kallai river's monitoring stations reported counts fluctuating between 15,000 and 2 lakh MPN/100 ml in May.
Experts attribute the high levels of faecal contamination to the unchecked discharge of untreated wastewater into these rivers. V . Sivanandan Achari, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Cochin University of Science and Technology, emphasized that domestic effluents from households and townships contribute significantly to the pollution . He noted that the improper management of sewage systems exacerbates situation,allowing untreated wastewater to flow into the rivers .
In response to the deteriorating water quality, senior officials from the Department of Local Self-Government have mandated civic bodies to take decisive action against illegal wastewater discharges. They have instructed secretaries of local governments to enhance surveillance and enforce stricter regulations to curb these harmful practices .
The findings from the monitoring programme are compiled by Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The ongoing contamination crisis raises urgent questions about public health and environmental safety in Keralam,highlighting the need for immediate intervention and sustainable management of water resources .
