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Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Technical Report · July 2014

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 PML/PR-46/2014

POLLUTION OF SURFACE WATER IN TIRUPUR AND ITS

ADJACENT AREAS BY TEXTILE EFFLUENTS

INVESTIGATORS
Mr. Kumar Pranaw
Ms. Priyanka Tripathi
Mr. Ramakant Sahu
Mrs. Poornima Saxena

ADVISORS
Prof. (Dr.) H. B. Mathur
Prof. (Dr.) H. C. Agarwal

July 2014

CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT

41, TUGHLAKABAD INSTITUTIONAL AREA, NEW DELHI –110062
TEL: 91-11-2995 6110/5124/6394/6399
FAX: 91-11-2995 5879 EMAIL: cse@cseindia.org
WEBSITE: www.cseindia.org

POLLUTION MONITORING LABORATORY CORE-6A,

FOURTH FLOOR, INDIA HABITAT CENTRE LODHI
ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110003
CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

CONTENTS

S. No. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.

01. Pollution Monitoring Laboratory of CSE 03

02. Introduction 03

03. Review of Literature 06

04. Materials and Methods 09

05. Results and Discussion 12

06. Conclusions 13

07. References 13

Tables 16

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

1. POLLUTION MONITORING LABORATORY OF CSE

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-governmental organization
based in New Delhi, has set up the Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (PML) to monitor
environmental pollution. PML is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited laboratory certified by
SWISCERT Pvt. Ltd. for conducting Pollution Monitoring and Scientific Studies on
Environmental Samples. The Laboratory has highly qualified and experienced staff
that exercise Analytical Quality Control (AQC) and meticulously follow what is called
Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). It is equipped with most sophisticated state-of-the-
art equipments for monitoring and analysis of air, water and food contamination,
including Gas Chromatograph with Mass Detector (GC-MS), Gas Chromatograph (GC)
with ECD, NPD, FID and other detectors, High Performance Liquid Chromatograph
(HPLC), Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Mercury
Analyzer, Respirable Dust Sampler etc. Its main aim is to undertake scientific studies
to generate public awareness about food, water and air contamination. It provides
scientific services at nominal cost to communities that cannot obtain scientific
evidence against polluters in their area. This is an effort to use science to achieve
ecological security.

2. INTRODUCTION
TIRUPUR, India’s Textile Valley!!!! 50kms from Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu
has emerged as a leading cotton knitwear industrial cluster in South India both for
overseas market and the domestic market, primarily because the climatic conditions
(high temperature and low rainfall) facilitate easy processing of yarn. It is popularly
known as "Banian City" of the South India. Tirupur town is situated between 11o10’N
to 11o22’N latitude and 77o21’E to 77o50’E longitude. It is located on the bank of noyal
river, a tributary of river Cauvery. It contributes about INR.11000 crores (Rs. 110
billion) annually in foreign exchange earnings to our country, besides a sustainable
contribution to the domestic market. Today, almost 80 per cent of India's cotton
knitwear exports happen from Tirupur. There are 6,250 units involved in various
operations of the textile industry here. It has 4900 knitting and stitching units, around
736 dyeing and bleaching units, 300 printing units, 100 embroidery units and 200
units catering to compacting, raising and calendaring.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

2.1. INDUSTRY AROUND TIRUPUR

Though Tirupur and its growth is unique in itself, there are quite a few industries in
and around Tirupur. As has been pointed out earlier, the neighboring Coimbatore city
is known for its machine tools, pumps, yarn and fabrics. The nearby districts like
Karur and Erode are known for bed sheets, curtain cloth, mosquito nets and other
made-up items. Karur district also has lots of processing units for natural dyeing.
Another neighbouring district Udumalipet is a fertile area and grows coconut,
aricanut, cotton etc. Of late, coir industry is also growing in this district. The nearby
areas of Tirupur like Somanur, Avinashi, Palladam and Koduvai are also actively
involved in Textile industry. The first three places have lot of power-looms and
Koduvai focuses on handloom. The constraints faced by Tirupur in terms of
infrastructure and labour problems are leading to the development of industrial
activities in the nearby areas/districts. Some of the exporters have already started
locating their expansion activities in Udumalipet and Pollachi districts.

Tirupur cluster comprises of around 5000 units which are involved in one or the
other activities of Textile value chain. These units discharge nearly 90 mld of effluents
on land or into the Noyyal River, leading to contamination of the ground and surface
water and soil in and around Tirupur and downstream. During 1991, Orathupalayam
dam [Dimension- 2290m (L) x 248m (W), area-423 Hectares and it irrigates 9875
acres of agricultural land in Karur district and 500 acres of land on Erode district] was
made on the river Noyyal, All the effluents discharged in the river Noyyal was
accumulated at Orathupalayam dam and causing environmental concerns for the
residents of Tirupur as water become unsuitable for drinking and even for irrigation.
This may result into three main kinds of ecological risks, i.e. loss of soil productivity,
groundwater pollution and the accumulation of pollutants in the food chain. One of
the major problems recently reported was regarding infertility of humans in a report
(Rajan, 2012).

2.2. Environmental Issues of Textile Processing

From the data presented it is apparent that the textile industry, although a very
important foreign exchange earner for the country is creating an environmental havoc

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

around Tirupur – one which is expected to have a lasting depilating impact on the
region. There are 600,000 people in Tirupur and around 800,000 along the
downstream of river, who are affected by this pollution (Jayanth et al., 2011). The
industry also cannot be wished away and shut down on environmental grounds. A
qualitative impact of the environmental impact because of the industry is presented
below
A. Orathupalayam dam
In 1991, the Orathupalayam dam was constructed on the Noyyal River at the cost of
Rs.16.46 crores to irrigate an area of 500 acres in Erode district and 9875 acres in
Karur district. But instead of serving its purpose it became a storage tank for
wastewater as the textile units started releasing their effluent into the dam’s
reservoir. This effluent could neither be discharged into the river nor be stored due to
percolation and contamination of groundwater aquifers. The effect of pollution was
noticed when there was great economic loss for farmers in the downstream areas of
Erode and Karur districts, in addition to contaminating the river Cauvery.
B. Physical Impact
a) Impact on ground water
Water levels in the bore wells are lowering due to the large scale exploitation of
groundwater for industrial application. Also, the quality of water is poor from the
deeper aquifers especially the TDS & TSS parameters. Generally, the water is not
suitable for the textile industry and for drinking. The depth of bore well in Tirupur
area varies from 1000 to 1200 feet.
b) Impact on surface water
The river Noyyal which was non perennial earlier now flows throughout the year
because of the effluent discharge from the industries. The water quality is very poor
and few parameters like dissolved solids, chlorides, sulphate, oil and grease are higher
than the permissible limit.
Textile wastewater includes a large variety of dyes and chemical additions that pose
an environmental challenge for textile industry not only as liquid waste but also due
to its chemical composition (Venceslau et al. 1994).The shifting of irrigation water to
fullfill the need of industrial use as well as water quality and lowering of water table
around Tirupur textile hub has been reported in several studies (Datta 2009). The

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

surface as well as groundwater quality induces environmental degradation over long

period of time because of discharge of highly contaminated effluent accelerated by
overexploitation of existing water resources (Phiri et al. 2005; Carneiro et al. 2010).
Continuous discharge of non-treated and semi treated effluent, that is characterized
by high load of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
colour, heavy metals, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and suspended solids and bad
odour, over long period of time, lead to water quality deterioration in receiving
Noyyal River as ground water, as water becomes unsuitable for drinking and even for
irrigation (Babu et al. 2007).This may result into three main kinds of ecological risks,
i.e. loss of soil productivity, groundwater pollution and the accumulation of pollutants
in the food chain (Ross 1994). Conventional oxidation treatment has found difficulty
to oxidize dyestuffs and complex structure of organic compounds at low
concentration or if they are especially refractory to the oxidants (Al-Kdasi et al. 2004).

3. REVIEW AND LITERATURE:

Adverse effect of rapid industrialization on surface as well as ground water quality
and quantity is widely known problem especially in developing countries. Due to
urbanization and expanding economic activities, about 13 % of the world’s population
does not have access to safe drinking water (WHO and UNICEF 2010). With current
trend of water demand, water shortage will become even more intense and
approximately, half of the world’s population will suffer from major water scarcity by
the year 2030 (UNESCO-WWAP, 2009). Tirupur, which is situated on the bank of
Noyyal River in India, is known for intensive textile processing activities. Noyyal river
basin was polluted due to discharge of effluent by the bleaching and dyeing units. In
order to protect the surface water and ground water, TNPCB had directed all the
bleaching and dyeing units in Tirupur to provide zero liquid discharge (ZLD) plant
and achieve zero discharge. Initially, they discharged untreated effluent into the river.
In year 1997, after the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) directions they
installed 8 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) and individual effluent
treatment plants (IETP) consisting of physical, chemical and biological treatment
process. Even then, the treated effluent from the CETPs and IETPs did not meet the
Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and chloride standards. The discharge of high TDS and

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

chloride effluent into Noyyal river had significantly affected the river water quality,
groundwater quality as well as the Orathupalayam dam which is constructed across
Noyyal river at 32 km down stream of Tirupur. In the year 2006, the honorable High
Court of Madras and TNPCB directed the bleaching and dyeing units to install Zero
Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant consisting of RO plant and reject management system.
At present there are 17 CETPs with ZLD plant are in operation. The treated effluent is
reused by the member units. The RO reject is concentrated in Multiple Effect
Evaporator (MEE) / Mechanical Vacuum Re-compressor (MVR) and then solar
evaporated (Rajkumar & Nagan, 2011). Typical characteristics of textile effluent are
given in Table-1. Industry has become an essential part of modern society, and waste
production is an inevitable outcome of the developmental activities. In Textile
industry different chemicals are used which have severe effect on environmental
health (Table 2). Frequent use of different chemicals in textile industries leads to
implement higher degree of pollutant in their effluent. Keeping in view that these
chemical are present in textile industry effluent Central pollution control board had
set some parameter for effluent disposal (Table-3).
As per ISI-IS: 2296-1982, the tolerance limits of parameters of surface water are
specified depending on various uses of water. The following classifications have been
adopted in India.

Classification Type of use

Class A Drinking water source without conventional treatment but after

disinfection
Class B Outdoor bathing
Class C Drinking water source with conventional treatment followed by
disinfection.
Class D Fish culture and wild life propagation
Class E Irrigation, industrial cooling or controlled waste disposal

Rajeshwari et al., 2013 studied about the physico-chemical parameters of effluents

collected from Tirupur Textile dyeing and CETP units. The parameters taken in this
study were as such Temperature, pH, Colour and Odour of the samples (recorded on

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

the spot) Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS),Total Suspended
Solids (TDS),Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD),
Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Chlorides and Sulphates were carried out in the
laboratory as per the standard methods. Their results revealed that the most of the
parameters were not within the permissible limit of PCB standard. The effluent
samples were differentially colored, with pungent smell and pH of the dyeing unit had
slightly above the neutral level and were within the permissible limit where as in the
case of CETPs were not in the permissible limit. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the
dyeing as well as CETP effluent was high in the range of 222-896mg/L. Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the textile dyeing effluent CETPs were very high in the range
of 2459-3894 and 6801-9870 mg/l respectively also were not within the permissible
limit of PCB standard. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was in the range of 997-
1124 and 1987- 2865 mg/L in dyeing and CETP effluent respectively. The values were
very much higher than maximum permissible limit of 120-400 mg/l according to PCB
Standard. The Chlorides and sulphats were in the range of 1134- 2865 and 786 – 2675
mg/l respectively. Chloride occurs in all natural waters in widely varying
concentrations. Excessive chloride in potable water is not particularly harmful and
the criteria set for this anion are based primarily on palatability and its potentially
high corrosiveness (Bhujangaiah and Nayak 2005). Chloride in excess (> 250 mg/L)
imparts a salty taste to water and people who are not accustomed to high chlorides
may be subjected to laxative effects.

Prabha et al., 2013, also studied about the impact assessment of textile effluent on
groundwater quality in the vicinity of Tirupur industrial area. In the year 2008–2009,
for Kasipalayam, the values of EC and TDS are extremely high making groundwater
potability unsuitable for drinking and irrigation purpose (EPA secondary drinking
water guidelines). Water with a TDS above 1,500–2,600 mg/l (EC greater than 2.25–4
mmho/cm) is generally considered problematic for irrigation use on crops with low
or medium salt tolerance. The high EC may be because of the continuous effluent
discharge into the river without any treatment favoring percolation to aquifer. This
river water recharges the unconfined aquifers in the region thus making it highly
unsuitable for use of domestic or irrigation purpose. The TDS present in groundwater,

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

besides affecting the growth of the plants directly, also affects the soil structure,
permeability and aeration, indirectly affecting the plant growth. In Kasipalayam and
Anaipalayam , high TDS was observed by Prabha et al., 2013 in the range of 3012-
6080 mg/L. The concentration of anions in both the regions followed the trend as Cl-
>HCO3>NO3>SO4-2 while in cations sodium was maximum ranged from 517.22 to 918
mg/L.

Paul et al. 2012, studied about the characterization of textile industrial waste water in
solapur city. They had reported very high concentration of sulphide in the ranges
from 22 to 79 mg/L and average value is found to be 49 mg/L, which is about 25
times higher than CPCB standards. Hydrogen sulphide is commonly originates in
water owning to the decomposition of organic matter or bacterial reduction of
sulphate under anaerobic condition

The degradation of water quality cascades several other direct and indirect
implications like change in cropping pattern, decrease in agricultural productivity, soil
salinity, change in biology of river, and depleting water table around Tirupur area.
There were several positive interventions adopted to cope with textile pollution in
Tirupur industrial hub, the zero-discharge norm is recent one. It is imperative that in
the regime of reuse of water from their effluent itself, i.e. Zero-Discharge, the surface
and groundwater quality must be improving as compared to earlier time. Thus the
discharge into the river is now stopped. However the damage caused to the surface/
ground water and soil in the river basin is yet to be restored.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the extent of pollution of the
surface water due to textile industry in Tirupur for which Honorable Supreme Court
has given direction for zero discharge from the textile industry.

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS:

4.1. SAMPLING:
Sixteen water samples (15 surface water and 1 ground water) were collected from
different regions of Tirupur district (Table 4) in May 2014. On site measurement of
pH, DO and TDS was done using portable pH meter, DO meter and TDS meter.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Appropriate preservatives were added during the sampling and the samples were
brought to the laboratory for analysis.

Fig. 1. Sampling locations around Tirupur, Coimbature.

4.2. EQUIPMENTS
 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Thermo) Solar M-6 Series (AAS)
 Spectrophotometer Agilent Carry 100 model

 Water bath

 Weighing Balance

4.3. CHEMICALS
All the acids and reagents – nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, potassium permanganate,
etc. used for the analysis were of analytical Grade and purchased from Merck.
Ultrapure water was used from Elga USF Maxima Ultra Pure Analytical Grade DI
Water System.
4.4. GLASSWARE
Different glasswares used viz. beakers, volumetric flasks, conical flasks, funnels,
pipettes, watch glasses and glass rods were obtained from Borosil. The volumetric
flasks and pipettes used, were calibrated. All the glasswares were cleaned with
detergent followed by 10 % nitric acid and rinsed thoroughly with distilled water
before use. All the glasswares used in the estimation of phenolic compounds were

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

cleaned with detergent and rinsed thoroughly with tap water followed by distilled
water. Thereafter, glasswares were washed with chloroform and dried before use.
4.5. DETERMINATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Different physico-chemical analysis viz., total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen,
chloride and sulphate were determined by using the standard methods published
jointly by American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Water Works
Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). The chemical
oxygen demand (COD) of all the samples was determined by using the reagents
procured from Merck and the methodology followed corresponds to the ISO 15705
and is analogous to EPA 410.4 and APHA 5220 D.
4.6. DETERMINATION OF SULPHIDES:
The total 500mL of water samples was filtered through blotting paper and sediment
were mixed with 200 mL filtrate. Add 2 mL of 6N HCl to each sample and mix well.
0.025N iodine solution in 10 mL slot was added till pale yellow colour appeared. Now
2-3 drops of 2% starch solution were added and titrated with 0.1N sodium
thiosulphate solution.
4.7. DETERMINATION OF TOTAL PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS:
To determine phenolic compounds the samples were distilled. For distillation, 500mL
of sample was taken and pH was adjusted to 4.0 with H3PO4 solution. After receiving
450mL distillate distillation was stopped. After boiling were ceased, 50mL of warm
water was added to distilling flask and distillation was continued until a total of
500mL had been collected because the volatilization of phenolic compounds is
gradual, the distillate volume must ultimately equal to that of the original sample.
100 mL distillate was taken as sample and 100 mL double distilled water as blank into
250 mL conical flask. In both sample and blank, 2.5 mL of 0.5N NH4OH solution was
added and pH was adjusted to 7.9±0.1 with phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). After that 1.0
mL of 2% 4-aminoantipyrine solution was added and mixed well. 1mL of 8%
K3Fe(CN)6 was then added and mixed properly and kept for 15 min for color
development. Finally the absorbance of samples was measured at 500 nm against
reagent blank.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

5. RESULTS & DISCUSSION:

5.1. SURFACE WATER ANALYSIS
A comparative analysis of all fifteen surface water samples for each water quality is
given in Table-4. The table showed that, pH which is an important indicator for the
water quality varied between 7.2 and 10.5. Most of the water samples having pH
neutral or little alkaline in nature. Highest pH (pH-10.5) was observed in both
Ungampalayam (S-14) and Ukkadam pond (S-15), which is highly alkaline in nature.
Water with a TDS above 2100 ppm is generally considered problematic for irrigation
use on crops with low or medium salt tolerance. In our analysis, we found that on the
basis of prescribed TDS limit (ISI-IS: 2296-1982), all fifteen samples are not fit for
drinking. Only three samples from Samlapuram pond (S-1), Sulur lake (S-13) and
Ukkadam pond (S-15) water meet the Class-C criteria of surface water i.e., used for
drinking purpose after conventional treatment followed by disinfection. Six samples
viz. Andipalayam (S-3), Kasipalayam check dam (S-6), Kulandipalayam (S-7),
Chinamuthur (S-8), Orathupalayam Dam (S-10) and Ungampalayam (S-14) can be
used for irrigation. Rest six samples were found not suitable for any use on the basis
of TDS (ISI-IS: 2296-1982).

COD were analyzed and results were found in the range 12.8- 331.2 ppm (table-4).
The highest value 331.2 ppm of COD was recorded at Kasipalayam check dam (S-6)
followed by 241.6 ppm of Managalam (S-2), 235.2 ppm Kulandipalayam (S-7) and
201.5 ppm Koolipalayam (S-5). It revealed that, the concentration was higher in the
river water samples.

On the basis of prescribed limit of Chloride, only 25% samples meet the criteria of
Class-C&E, viz., Samlapuram pond (S-1), Andipalayam (S-3), Sulur lake (S-13) and
Ukkadam pond (S-15).

All the fifteen samples were analyzed for sulphate and were found to be in the range
of 41.5-424 ppm. It was found that only one sample i.e., Managalam (S-2) had
maximum sulphate 424 ppm, which is higher by 6%. Rest all samples were found
below 280 ppm and it can be made suitable for drinking after conventional treatment
followed by disinfection.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Phenolic compounds were also determined in these samples and only one sample
(Kasipalayam check dam) was found to contain phenolic compounds (0.1 ppm) which
makes it unfit for any kind of use.

Sulphide analysis was also carried out for all the surface water samples and found in
the range 0.19-24.0 ppm (table-4). Highest sulphide was recorded as 24 ppm in
Tirupur main town river sample (S-4) followed by 14.66 in Andipalayam (S-3), 12.89
ppm in Kasipalayam check dam (S-6), and 4.08 ppm in Mamarathupallam (S-11).
Sulphide was not detected in about 40% of total samples, i.e., 6 samples [S-5, S-7, S-10,
S-12, S-13, S-14 and S-15]. However there is no prescribed limit for sulphides given by
different environmental protection agencies for surface water.

5.2. GROUND WATER ANALYSIS:

Only one sample was collected from Perur patishwerar temple well and was analyzed
for all physiochemical parameters viz. TDS, chloride, phenolic compounds, sulphides
and sulphates. It was found that except TDS (603 ppm) and sulphide (0.38) all other
parameters were in range (shown in table-4) and fully suitable for drinking.
6. CONCLUSIONS:
 Most of the surface water samples were found not fit for drinking based on the
tolerance limits of parameters of surface water are specified depending on
various uses of water (ISI-IS: 2296-1982).
 Only 26% water samples were found fit for irrigation based on their pH, TDS,
COD, Chloride and sulphide concentration.

 The ground water sample collected from Perur patishwerar temple was fully
fit for drinking except TDS was higher by 16.5%.

7. REFERENCES:

 Al-Kdasi A, Idris A, Saed K, Guan CT (2004) Treatment of textile wastewater by

advanced oxidation processes—a review. Global Nest Int J 6(3):222–230.

 APHA (2005) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater,
21st edn. American Public Health Association, Washington DC.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

 Babu BR, Parande SR, Kumar TP (2007) Cotton textile processing: waste
generation and effluent treatment. J Cotton Sci 11:141–153.

 Bhujangaiah NS, Nayak PV, (2005). Study of ground water quality in and around
Shimoga City, Karnataka. J. Ind. Coun. Chem. 22(1):42-47

 Carneiro PA, Umbuzeiro GA, Oliveira DP, Zanoni MV (2010) Assessment of water
contamination caused by a mutagenic textile effluent/dyehouse effluent bearing
disperse dyes. Hazard Mater 174(1–3):694–699.

 Datta A (2009) Public–private partnerships in India: a case for reform? Econ

Political Wkly XLIV (33):73–78.

 Jayanth sarathi N, Karthik R, Logesh S, Srinivas Rao K, Vijayanand K., (2011)

“Environmental issues and its impacts associated with the textile processing units
in Tirupur, Tamilnadu.” 2nd International Conference on Environmental Science
and Development IPCBEE vol.4, IACSIT Press, Singapore

 Phiri O, Mumba P, Moyo BHZ, Kadewa W (2005) Assessment of the impact of

industrial effluents on water quality of receiving rivers in urban areas of Malawi.
Int J Environ Sci Technol 2(3):237–244.

 Paul S. A., Chavan S. K., and Khambe S. D. (2012), “Studies on characterization of

textile industrial waste water in solapur city”. Int. J. Chem. Sci.: 10(2), 635-642.

 Rajan, M. C. “Water of infertility: Polluted Noyyal river in Tamilnadu is turning

land and people barren.”
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2177320/Water-
infertility-Polluted-Noyyal-river-Tamil-Nadu-turning-land-people-barren.html).

 Rajeswari. K, Subashkumar. R and Vijayaraman .K, (2013) “Physico chemical

parameters of effluents collected from tirupur textile dyeing and CETP and
analysis of heterotropic bacterial population”. Journal of Microbiology and
Biotechnology Research, 3 (5):37-41.

 Rajkumar, A. Samuel, and Nagan, S. (2011) “Study on Tirupur cetps discharge

and their impact on noyyal river and orathupalayam dam, tamil nadu (india)”.
Journal of Environmental Research and Development, 5(3):558-565.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

 Prabha S., Das P., Kumar M., Ramanathan A. L., (2013) “Impact assessment of
textile effluent on groundwater quality in the vicinity of Tirupur industrial area,
southern India”. Environmental Earth Science, [DOI 10.1007/s12665-013-2361-
8].

 UNESCO-WWAP (2009). The United Nations World Water Development Report 3:

Water in a Changing World. Paris: UNESCO Publishing, and London: Earthscan.
UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme.

 Venceslau MC, Tom S, Simon JJ (1994) Characterization of textile wastewater—a

review. Environ Technol 15:917–929.

 WHO and UNICEF (2010). Progress on sanitation and drinking water. World
Health Organisation and The United Nations Children’s Fund.

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CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Table 1- Typical characteristics of wastewater from textile industry in Tirupur

Parameters Bleaching Dyeing Composite

pH 10 9.8 8.8

Biological Oxygen Demand (mg/L) 300 380 330

Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) 650 700 660

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 300 350 300

TDS (mg/L) 6560 9000- 10000 8620

Colour Whitish Intense Intense

Colour Colour

16
CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Table 2: Different chemicals used in textile industry and their effect on environmental
health

Type Character Hazard

Detergent Non-ionic detergent based on  Non-biodegradable

 Highly toxic to fish and
nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE)
aquatic fauna
Biodegradable  Reproduction toxicity
(NPE Nonylphenol (Non-  Affects liver and immune
biodegradable and more toxic than NPE) system
 Indirectly aid in breast
cancer and testicle
cancer
Stain remover Carry solvent like CCl4  Ozone depletion ten
times more than CFC
Oxalic acid Used for rust stain removal  Toxic for aquatic
organism
 Boosts COD
Sequestering Polyphosphates like Trisodium  Banned in Europe but
agents polyphosphate & Sodium hexameta still use in India
phosphate
Printing Gums Preservatives pentachlorophenol is used  Dermatitis
 liver and kidney damage
in Europe & India
 Carcinogenic

Fixing Agent Formaldehyde and Benzindie  Harmful, internationally

banned
Bleaching Chlorine bleaching  Itching and Harmful

Dyeing Amino acid liberating group  Carcinogenioc

 Internationally banned

17
CSE Study: Pollution of Surface Water in Tirupur and Its Adjacent Areas by Textile Effluents

Table 3: CPCB Standards for Effluents from Textile Industry

Parameter Concentration not to exceed, milligram

per litre (mg/l), except pH
pH 5.5 – 9.0
Total suspended solids 100
Bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) 30
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 250
Total residual chlorine 1
Oil and grease 10
Total chromium as Cr 2
Sulphide as S 2
Phenolic compounds as C6H5OH 1

18
Table4: Different physico-chemical parameters of surface and ground water sample of Tirupur
Phenolic
compounds Sulphides Sulphate
TDS (in TS (in TSS (in COD (in Chloride as as C6H5OH as H2S(in as SO4 (in
S.No. Location pH ppm) ppm) ppm) ppm) Cl (in ppm) (in ppm) ppm) ppm)
SURFACE WATER
(As per ISI-IS: 2296-1982)
Class-A 6.5-8.5 500 - - - 250 0.002 - 400
Class-B 6.5-8.5 - - - - - 0.005 - -
Class-C 6.5-8.5 1500 - - - 600 0.005 - 400
Class-D 6.5-8.5 - - - - - - - -
Class-E 6.5-8.5 2100 - - - 600 - - 1000
1 Samalapuram Pond POND 7.2 1200 1380 180 57.6 473.68 N.D 0.98 122.5
2 Managalam RIVER 8.3 11800 19880 8080 241.6 6947.49 N.D 0.64 424
3 Andipalayam RIVER 9.1 1660 2920 1260 201.5 552.08 N.D 14.66 151.5
4 Tirupur Main Town RIVER 9.7 2460 2820 360 134.4 1207.43 N.D 24.00 200.5
Koolipalayam Reservoir/
5 POND 9.5 2670 3120 450 227.2 1365.32 N.D N.D. 145.5
Nanjarayan Pond
6 Kasipalayam Check Dam RIVER 9.1 1780 2020 240 331.2 622.29 0.1 12.89 127
7 Kulandaipalayam RIVER 8.2 1850 2140 290 227.2 687.30 N.D N.D. 216
8 Chinamuthur RIVER 9.3 1880 2160 280 235.2 705.88 N.D 0.50 222.5
9 Rasampalayam RIVER 8.1 3650 22880 19230 11.2 1151.70 N.D 0.19 278
10 Orathupalayam Dam DAM 8.1 1880 2120 240 20.8 873.06 N.D N.D. 199.5
11 Mamarathupallam RIVER 8.4 2240 2620 380 25.6 835.91 N.D 4.08 172
12 Nathakadaiyur RIVER 7.6 2150 2500 350 22.4 863.77 N.D N.D. 202
13 Sulur Lake LAKE 9.1 1050 1260 210 12.8 334.36 N.D N.D. 76
14 Ungampalayam RIVER 10.5 2060 2480 420 25.6 826.62 N.D N.D. 225
15 Ukkadam Big Tank POND 10.4 1180 1320 140 14.4 482.97 N.D 1.71 41.5
Drinking Water
6.5-8.5 500 - - - 250 0.001 0.05 200
(As per IS-10500-2004)
Perur Patishwerar Temple -
16 WELL 7 603 700 97 11.2 97.52 N.D 0.38 33.5
Ground water

Class A- Drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfection; Class B- Outdoor bathing
Class C- Drinking water source with conventional treatment followed by disinfection; Class D- Fish culture and wild life propagation
Class E- Irrigation, industrial cooling or controlled waste disposal.

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