WATER POLLUTION IN PERIYAR RIVER

SUBMITTED BY:

AJAY KRISHNAN K
AKSHAY P
AKSHAY R DAS
ARJUN P
ANWAR JOSEPH CHANDY

1
 AKNOWLEDGEMENT

We use this opportunity to express gratitude towards our

Environmental studies in civil engineering (EVS) faculty
Mrs.Chithira mam who gave the opportunity to take up this
project .we also thank each and every one who has helped us
in undertaking this project.

2
 INDEX
1.Introduction……………………………………………………………04

2.Pollution in Periyar river………………………………………….05

2.1.Demands on river…………………………………………..05

3.Causes of Pollution………………………………………………….08

4. Quality of water………………………………………………………09

5.Effects on Environment……………………………………………12

6.Effect on community ………………………………………………14

7.Preventive measures taken/To be taken …………………15

8.Conclusion…….…………………………………………………………16

3
 INTRODUCTION

Periyar is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge
potential in the Indian state of Kerala.
The Periyar originates in the Sivagiri peaks of Sundaramala, Tamil
Nadu and drains out into Arabian sea.It has a total length of
approximately 244 kilometres (152 mi) ,average width of 405m and a
catchment area of 5,398 square kilometres (2,084 sq mi), of which
5,284 square kilometres (2,040 sq mi) is in Kerala and 114 square
kilometres (44 sq mi) is in Tamil Nadu.The average discharge at the
mouth is 295 cubic meters .It is one of the few perennial rivers in the
region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The
Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala. It
generates a significant proportion of Kerala's electrical power via
the Idukki Dam and flows along a region of industrial and commercial
activity. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use
throughout its course besides supporting a rich fishery. Due to these
reasons, the river has been named the "Lifeline of Kerala". Kochi city,
in the vicinity of the river mouth draws its water supply from Aluva, an
upstream site sufficiently free of seawater intrusion. Twenty five
percent of Kerala's industries are along the banks of river Periyar.
These are mostly crowded within a stretch of 5 kilometres (3 mi) in
the Eloor-Edayar region (Udhyogamandal), about 10 kilometres (6 mi)
north of Kochi harbor. Its major tributaries are:Muthirapuzha
River,Mullayar River,Cheruthoni River,Perinjankutti River,Edamala
River.
The important reservoirs in the Periyar basin within Kerala are
Bhoothathankettu, Idamalayar, Lower Periyar, Mattupetty,
Anayirangal, Kundala, Ponmudi, Kallarkutti, Idukki (formed by
construction of three dams—Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu),
Sengulam, Kallar, Erattayar and Mullaperiyar.

4
 POLLUTION IN RIVER PERIYAR

1.DEMANDS ON THE RIVER

Irrigation
There are 15 minor and one major hydroelectric projects, apart from nine
irrigation schemes, which regulate and consume water for irrigation
processes.

1-Periyar Valley Irrigation Project -32000Ha

2- Periyar Valley Irrigation Project -32000Ha

The Periyar valley Irrigation project in Ernakulam district envisages the

utilization of the tail race discharge from the completed Hydel scheme in
the Muthirapuzha tributary of river Periyar together with the controlled
release from Ennackal dam constructed by Kerala State Electricity Board
under Hydel scheme across the Idamalayar tributary and the
dependable run off from the uncontrolled catchment of Periyar river, for
irrigating an area of 32,800 hectares (81,000 acres) of land lying on the
left bank of Periyar river through a network of canal system and
controlling devices. The scheme consists of the Periyar Barrage at
Bhoothathankettu with a catchment area of 3,048 square kilometres
(1,177 sq mi) along with a network of canals. Apart from irrigation on left
bank of Periyar, the project also enables a supply of minimum quantity of
water through the river to check the intrusion of salinity at lower reaches
of the river as well as to meet the requirements of many lift irrigation
schemes of river Periyar. Supply of water for drinking and industrial
purposes are met by a portion of storage water by the barrage of
Bhoothathankettu.
5
Inter-Basin Transfer of Water
 Mullaperiyar dam was one of the earliest instances of inter-basin
transfers in the peninsular India. While it met the demand for water
on one hand, it led to the deterioration of water quality downstream
of the river. Salinity intrusion and pollution dispersion problems
arose in the lower reaches of the Periyar due to non-availability of
sufficient quantity of water for flushing. Another inter-basin transfer
from the Periyar to the Muvattupuzha river due to the Idukki project
has further adversely affected the downstream flow in the Periyar
river.
 The Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) agreement was conceived
to harness and share the waters in the inter-State rivers
in Bharathappuzha, Chalakkudypuzha and Periyar basins. Nirar
and Anamalayar, tributaries of Periyar are covered under this
agreement. Water from these rivers are transferred to the adjacent
Sholayar basin as part of the PAP agreement.
 Due to all the diversions in its basin, the Periyar has lost 22 per
cent of its average flow.

 South of the Mullaperiyar reservoir, at the source of Periyar River,

there is an unbroken stretch of about 350 square kilometres
(140 sq mi) of sheltered, unmodified rainforests within the Periyar
Tiger Reserve. This entire stretch contains about 600 to 700
square kilometres (230 to 270 sq mi) of undisturbed wet evergreen
forests typical of the Western Ghats. The Periyar Tiger Reserve
(PTR) is also one of the most ecologically diverse regions in India.
The flora of the reserve is very rich and diverse. Out of the
estimated 3,800 species of angiosperms of Kerala, 1,966 have
been reported from within the reserve.
 The Periyar plateau forms a part of the Project Elephant Reserve
10, which also includes the Agasthyamalai-Mahendragiri hills. The
landscape on the Periyar Plateau portion of Elephant Reserve 10
maintains the most intact elephant range in Southern India. This
area is believed to harbour about 2,000 elephants and is one of
the potential landscapes for the long-term conservation of the
species.
 Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, one of the important bird sanctuaries of
India, is an evergreen low-land forest located between the
branches of Periyar River. It has a rich and varied birdlife. Several
species of birds, both forest birds as well as the water birds visit
the sanctuary.

6
Electricity Generation/ Hydro Electric Projects

The river flow has suffered because of impoundments upstream and the
river basin diversion which has happened in the case of Idukki Hydel
Power Project. The diversion from the power station at Moolamattom to
Muvattupuzha river has resulted in the slimming of the river downstream
of the dam. The river has been rendered non existent immediately
downstream of Idukki and lower Periyar projects.
However, replenishment through sources like many numbers of rivulets
and streamsfurther rejuvenates the river.
Major hydroelectric schemes in Periyar :

Name Capacity Catchment area

Pallivasal HES 37.5MW

Sengulam HES 48MW
Panniyar HES 30MW
Neriamangalam HES 45MW 81.6sq.Km
Idukki HES 700MW 649.3sq.Km
Edamalayar HES 75MW 380.7sq.Km
Lower Periyar HES 180MW 181.34sq.Km

POTABLE WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

The following is the list of major water supply schemes from Periyar river.
Scheme for Cochin corporation
Scheme for Alwaye town
Scheme for Perumbavoor town
Scheme for Parur town
Rural water supply scheme for panchayaths of Maradu, Mulanthuruthy,
Kadamakudy, Udayamperur, Puthencruz etc.
The water supply scheme for Corporation of Cochin, started in 1914, has
two head works and treatment plants ie. Alwaye and Chowara, with a
capacity of 48 and 22.5 million litres/day respectively.
The total domestic supply covers a population of 32.27l akhs having a
requirement of 520 million litres/day.
Navigation
Inland navigation through Cochin backwaters and lower reaches of Periyar
river is a major means of transportation in this area. Boats owned by both
Government and private agencies conduct regular services. It offers a

7
smooth and comfortable journey for passengers when compared to the
busiest roadways in Cochin area
Fisheries
Lower reaches of Periyar was well known for easy availability of various
types of tasty fishes like Pearlspot, Palankanni, Kanambu, Thirutha, Koori
etc. Along with a variety of shell fishes which includes crab, prawn,
konchu and so on. However, this has become an old story due to the severe
impact of pollution from different sources which already inflicted large
scale damage to aquatic life in this water body.

2.CAUSES OF POLLUTION
 Periyar’s banks house about 25% of Kerala’s commercial
industries.
 “Eloor Industrial Area” resides around Periyar’s banks and has
around 250 industries that include a dozen of chemical generating
factories.
 The first and the central problem of Periyar lie in it being illegally
used by these factories as a TSDF (Transfer, Storage and
Disposal Facility) for many hazardous wastes.

The lower reaches of the Periyar are heavily polluted. Industries in

the Eloor industrial zone discharge waste into the river. Greenpeace
India describes the lower Periyar as "a cesspool of toxins, which have
alarming levels of deadly poisons
like DDT, endosulfan, hexa and trivalent
chromium, lead, cyanide, BHC". Several studies have pointed out that
the riverbed has deposits of heavy metals like lead, cadmium,
mercury, chromium, nickel, cobalt and zinc and the ecosystem of the
river has many dead zones. Some of the major recommendations are
ensuring zero effluent discharge from the industrial units in the Eloor-
Edayar stretch and zero emission from companies. Pollution of the
river and surrounding wetlands has almost wiped out traditional
occupations, including fishing and farming.
Pollution Sources of pollution in Periyar river can be categorized as:
Sewage and garbage ·
Agricultural run-off
Industrial pollution

8
 Sewage and Garbage
The river directly receives civic effluents from townships like
Vandiperiyar, Upputhara, Cheruthony, Munnar, Malayattoor, Kalady,
Perumbavoor, Neriamangalam, Aluva and Parur. None of these local
bodies possess proper sewage treatment facility. In the case of
Cochin corporation sewage treatment system is inadequate and the
untreated organic and inorganic refuse is being discharged into the
backwaters.

Agricultural Run-off
Periyar river basin has an area of 5284sqkms. Out of this, 39000Ha
are available as wet land and 166000 ha as garden land
(KSPCB,1981). Major crops being cultivated in the river basin
includes rice, coconut, arecanut, banana, rubber, vegetables etc. The
upper reaches of the basin is utilized for plantation crops like tea,
coffee, cardamom and rubber. This intensive agricultural practice all
along the banks and watershed area has been enriching the river
water with huge amounts of pesticides and fertilizers especially during
surface run off in the rainy season. Besides, loosening of surface soil
and removal of vegetation from catchment area generates problems
related to soil erosion and siltation.

Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution poise the most serious threat to the riverine
ecosystem in lower reaches of Periyar ie aout 15 Kms upstream from
the backwaters of Cochin, where a cluster of small and big industries
are operating.

3.QUALITY OF WATER
Studies were conducted to evaluate the quality of water at four stations
of the river Periyar with a view to utilise them for drinking purposes.
These stations include Kanakkankadavu, Purappallikavu, Pathalam and
Manjummal, which are in Emakulam District, Kerala, India. In the study,
nutrient elements like Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn were detected occasionally
and found well below the maximum permissible limits. Mercury and lead
were detected in the months of January and March of the sampling
period at Kanakkankadavu. Trace levels of As, Se, Cr and Cd were
detected in some samples during the particular months of the study
9
period. Significantly higher levels of magnesium and calcium were
detected during the summer season. The hydrographic data revealed
that all the sources have acidic pH, turbidity, low salinity during monsoon
and nitrate, sulphate and hardness were higher during the summer
months. Kanakkankadavu and Purappallikavu had extreme salinity and
the presence of certain toxic metals during the summer months while at
other stations these were found well below the limits. The results that
these water sources could be utilized for meeting the growing demands
of drinking water for Cochin City after introducing certain water quality
management measures.

 According to IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology

and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p-
ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 8, Issue 8 Ver. II (Aug. 2014), PP 11-16

 Overall water quality index showed poor quality index in the river.
All sampling sites under investigation fell under the poor quality
index range, with kuzhikandam site exhibiting the lowest. Water
quality deteriorated, as river flows downstream especially towards
the Eloor Ferry. Correlating the factors of CCME water quality
Index with parameters has never been attempted before.
Statistical correlation reveals that water quality index decreases
with increase in calcium, sulphate, chloride, nitrate-n, total
hardness, fluoride, conductivity and vice versa while water quality
index increases with increase in ph and DO. Regression analysis
of the water quality index with factors (F1, F2, and F3) shows that
the number of parameters that exceeds the guideline (Scope, F1)
and the number of times the parameter exceeding the guideline
(Frequency, F2) affects the water quality index of the river while
the extend to which each parameter exceeding the guideline
(Amplitude, F3) does not affect the water quality index.

10
 An Assessment of Water Quality in River Periyar
According to a 2014 study

11
 4.EFFECT ON ENVIRONMENT
While the Idukki section of the Periyar is struggling with contamination
from domestic sewage, the river between Eloor and Edayar is a
horrifying spectre of overwhelming industrial pollution, thanks to around
280 industries that function on its shores. The effluents allegedly
released by many of these industries have turned the water into a deep
black colour, though it can also flow red, yellow or green, depending on
which chemicals flow into it.

In January this year, for instance, the river went from a dark brown to red
to black. In 2017 alone, the river has changed colour on more than 10
occasions.

Then there are the regular fish kills. The sight of many smaller kinds of
fish lying dead on the surface of the water have now become an all-too
common sight. When TNM visited the river in June, for instance,
hundreds of dead Indian anchovies could be seen floating in various
parts of the river. But there have also been much larger fish kills, in
which thousands of fish of larger species end up dead, the last having
just occurred in March 2017.

12
Add to this the fact that the river, which once flowed at a torrential
speed, has now slowed to a bare crawl, and is near to becoming
stagnant.

Pollution

The lower reaches of the Periyar are heavily polluted. Industries in the
Eloor industrial zone discharge waste into the river. Greenpeace India
describes the lower Periyar as "a cesspool of toxins, which have
alarming levels of deadly poisons like DDT, endosulfan, hexa and
trivalent chromium, lead, cyanide, BHC".Several studies have pointed
out that the riverbed has deposits of heavy metals like lead, cadmium,
mercury, chromium, nickel, cobalt and zinc and the ecosystem of the
river has many dead zones. Some of the major recommendations are
ensuring zero effluent discharge from the industrial units in the Eloor-
Edayar stretch and zero emission from companies. Pollution of the river
and surrounding wetlands has almost wiped out traditional occupations,
including fishing and farming.

Illegal sand mining

Illegal sand mining from the Periyar is another major environmental

issue. Studies have pointed out that the quantity of sand being mined
from the Periyar is at least 30 times the actual quantity that can be taken
out without causing damage to the river’s environmental system. In the
Periyar river basin, land sand mining is widespread in the plateau region

13
in the highlands. Mining of sands from these areas impose severe
environmental problems to the river basin environment..

5.EFFECT ON COMMUNITY
Water contaminants include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites.
These contaminants may be caused by human activities (like large scale
farming).It can cause extreme health problems. Waste from humans,
paper, pulp plants and tanneries are discharged into a stream, river or
lake, the organic materials decomposed by using large quantities of
oxygen from water. If too much oxygen is removed and it takes too long
for It to be restored, there may be serious pollution. Toxic waste like
DDT and Mercury are poisonous when consumed or contacted by plants
and animals. Use of pesticides and herbicides and wash off the land into
the sewers are other examples of dangerous water pollution.
Water pollution causes losses to the health of the economy like human
deaths, health expenditures, loss of man days, and reduction in
agricultural output, reduction in fish population etc. River pollution has
been quite alarming in recent years as a result of waste discharges from
industries, sewage outfall from townships, pilgrimage centers etc. In the
past human wastes were deposited in natural systems,but with
increasing
population, the load of human waste has far exceeded the natural
systems absorption and cleaning rate. Rapid rural urban migration is
also contributing to pollution.
Water quality has been steadily degraded by a comb
ination of factors including saline, intrusion; sewage and industrial
effluents and agricultural runoff. Bio Chemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD) in periyar is 1.4 times the world average and
1.5 times OECD levels.
River periyar is increasingly polluted from the industrial and domestic
wastes and from pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture. Industries
discharge hazardous pollutants like Phosphates, Sulphides, Amonnia N,
Fluorides, heavy metals and insecticides into the downstream reaches of
the river.
Kerala is bacteriological pollution. The assessment of river such as
Periyar, indicate that the major quality problem is due to bacteriological
pollution. There are local level quality problems faced by all the rivers
especially, due to dumping of solid waste, bathing and discharge of
effluents. The presence of fluoride in ground water above permissible
limits is reported in
Eranakulam and kottayam districs of the course. Open wells of Kerala
have the problem of bacteriological contamination. Studies have shown

14
that faecal contamination is present in 90 % of drinking water well.Thus
we can see that water pollution due to pesticidal and herbicidal orgins
has resuted in various health issues like in the case of endosulphan
used in cardamom hills ,the water pollution has resulted in reduction on
the quality of water.
6.PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN/TO BE TAKEN
Efforts have been made to prevent soil erosion on the banks of river
periyar at Aluva Sivarathri manappuram (sand bank) through
afforestation programs headed by renowned environmentalist, Prof.
S. Sitaraman, since 1992. The Aluva Environmental Protection
Forumstarted by Sitaraman and others have played a pivotal role in
the prevention of illegal sand mining and water pollution in the lower
reaches of the river.The real-time monitoring of water quality and
tracking of discolouration of the Periyar, which is expected to instantly
spot instances of pollution and initiate remedial measures, will begin
shortly.

The trial run of the water quality analysis and 24x7 surveillance system
using eight all-weather video cameras will begin within a fortnight.

The results of the water quality analysis will be displayed on an

electronic display board to be installed at FACT Junction. The initiative of
the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) will be formally
inaugurated next month.Visuals of the river water will be beamed to the
control room every five minutes. Analysis of water samples will also take
place at an interval of five minutes which would ensure that every
change in the river system is caught on camera and recorded without
time lapse.“The data on chemical analysis of water will help in identifying
the polluters instantaneously,” Pollution of the river due to the alleged
discharge of untreated effluents by industrial units located on its banks
had often ended up in public protests and even violent incidents.The
chemical parameters of the river water that would be monitored include
pH, dissolved oxygen and ammoniacal nitrogen.The analysis will help in
pinpointing the polluter whenever the chemicals in the river system cross
the permissible limit. “The data will help in identifying the culprits that
cause the changes in the river system as the information on companies
producing various chemicals is readily available with the authorities,”
With the real-time data in hand, pollution or toxic discharge into the river
system can be checked immediately besides ordering the polluters to
initiate remedial measures.Usually, the impact of pollution will be visible
or felt after hours of discharge of the toxic materials. It may also take
some time for the information on discolouration of water to reach the

15
authorities. By the time, the system gets activated, damage would have
been done. “Real-time monitoring will save time and ensure prompt
remedial action,it was for the first time in the State that the facilities were
being employed for a river system. Keltron was assigned the task of
installing the cameras which could be remotely controlled.The control
room for the monitoring system would become operational in a couple of
days. Additional hands would be deployed for operating the system
round the clock.

CONCLUSION
Overall water quality index showed poor quality index in the river. All
sampling sites under investigation fell under the poor quality index
range, with kuzhikandam site exhibiting the lowest. Water quality
deteriorated, as river flows downstream especially towards the Eloor
Ferry.
Periyar is the longest as well as the largest river in kerala.it provides
water for the biodiversifically rich western ghat area and most of the
industrial development in south and cental kerala are on the banks of
river periyar.In these recent years it has been subjected a lot of pollution
due to actions of human beings the various impacts of these non
healthy human interventions,its aftermaths and its remedies are being
enlighted in our project.

16