Effluents from KMML (Kerala Metals and Minerals Ltd), a public sector unit based at Chavara in Kollam, are

polluting water sources, degrading the

environment, and posing a public health hazard, a study conducted by the Department of Geology, University of Kerala, has revealed.
The study found that the plant manufacturing titanium dioxide was responsible for the deterioration in the quality of groundwater sources. Highly
toxic trace elements were detected in water samples.
The study team led by Assistant Professor E. Shaji found that the pollution had badly affected the flora and fauna in and around the factory area.
Crops were found destroyed by concentrated hydrochloric acid and other pollutants present in the environment.
The study reported that the water quality of the underground aquifers had dropped to an alarming level due to high acidity. KMML, one of the few
profit-making public sector units in Kerala, uses the chloride route technology to recover titanium dioxide from ilmenite ore, which is abundant along
the Kerala coast. The factory claims that it has an elaborate pollution control system to treat the effluents before they are released into the water
and air.
The study was taken up to verify the charge that the wastes were being disposed of without proper treatment and to identify the extent of
environmental degradation.
The team established 55 monitoring-cum-sampling locations in the study area and carried out hydro-geological investigations. The factory, according
to the study, has seven tube wells with depth ranging from 100 m to 200 m. The average groundwater withdrawal through these tube wells was 10
lakh litre a day. Pointing out that groundwater extraction had reached alarming levels, the report warned that it could invite sea water intrusion into
the aquifers. The waste water discharged by the company was found accumulating in the environment and polluting natural water bodies before
reaching the sea. The area to the north of the factory was filled with pools of brownish yellow, pungent smelling water, highly acidic and reactive.
The colour change was noticed in the wells and ponds also.
Chemical analysis of surface and ground water samples collected from the study area identified trace elements of chromium, copper, lead, cobalt,
cadmium, nickel, zinc, iron, and manganese. The report said the paddy fields in the area had become effluent ponds. Fish and other species had
deserted the area and coconut trees were barren. Various skin diseases were noticed in adults and children residing in the region.
A zonation map prepared by the study team revealed that the water in and around the factory was of very poor quality. The pollution, initially
confined to the neighbourhood of the factory, was slowly spreading towards the surrounding areas through the alluvial aquifers. Migration of the
toxic elements could impact on the quality of water in the aquifers and endanger public health, it warned.
Dr. Shaji said remedial measures were called for to restore the water quality of the area. The company, he said, had to ensure that the acidic
effluents were neutralised before discharge.
The report challenged the company's claim that the impact of its effluents was limited to less than 100 meters of the discharge point, after which the
acidity was neutralised by the sea. It said geospatial analyses carried out as part of the study had revealed that about 15 sq.km. area was badly
affected and that the pollution was slowly spreading in all directions.
 HISTORY OF KMML
The history of the beaches of Sankarmangalam and nearby areas is inextricably intertwined with the history of the precious beaches and KMML. Precious, as was discovered in 1909 by
the German scientist Dr. Schomberg who found traces of monazite in the sand flakes on the imported coir from Sankaramangalam. The beaches with a wealth of rare earth minerals
became the centre of scientific attraction.
By 1932, a visionary private entrepreneur established the F. X. Perira and Sons (Travancore) Pvt. Ltd, the forerunner to KMML. During the course of time, KMML changed hands three
times over. In 1956 it was taken over by the state government and was placed under the control of the industries department. The unit was subsequently converted as a limited company
in 1972 by the name of The Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd.
ABOUT KMML
Bringing more to your everyday life, KMML touches you in numerous ways. Be it the dress you wear, the cosmetics you use, the medicines you take, the paints you decorate your home
with or the utility plastic products, our products are there. Eco-friendly & socially committed, it is the only integrated Titanium Dioxide facility having mining, mineral separation, synthetic
rutile and pigment-production plants. Apart from producing rutile grade Titanium Dioxide pigment for various types of industries, it also produces other products like Ilmenite, Rutile,
Zircon, Sillimenite, Synthet rutile etc.
Manufacturing Titanium Dioxide through the chloride route, KMML produces very pure rutile grade Titanium dioxide pigment. The different grades churned out by KMML under brand
name KEMOX has a ready market which asks for more. KMML has always been responsive to social and environmental causes. Some of the initiatives taken by KMML have made a
significant change to the area and its people.
KMML effluents polluting water and land
Effluents from KMML (Kerala Metals and Minerals Ltd), a public sector unit based at Chavara in Kollam, are polluting water sources, degrading the environment, and posing a public
health hazard.The plant manufacturing titanium dioxide was responsible for the deterioration in the quality of groundwater sources. Highly toxic trace elements were detected in water
samples. the pollution had badly affected the flora and fauna in and around the factory area. Crops were found destroyed by concentrated hydrochloric acid and other pollutants present
in the environment. the water quality of the underground aquifers had dropped to an alarming level due to high acidity. KMML, one of the few profit-making public sector units in Kerala,
uses the chloride route technology to recover titanium dioxide from ilmenite ore, which is abundant along the Kerala coast. The factory claims that it has an elaborate pollution control
system to treat the effluents before they are released into the water and air.
The factor has seven tube wells with depth ranging from 100 m to 200 m. The average groundwater withdrawal through these tube wells was 10 lakh litre a day. Pointing out that
groundwater extraction had reached alarming levels, the report warned that it could invite sea water intrusion into the aquifers. The waste water discharged by the company was found
accumulating in the environment and polluting natural water bodies before reaching the sea. The area to the north of the factory was filled with pools of brownish yellow, pungent
smelling water, highly acidic and reactive. The colour change was noticed in the wells and ponds also. Chemical analysis of surface and ground water samples collected from the study
area identified trace elements of chromium, copper, lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, zinc, iron, and manganese. The report said the paddy fields in the area had become effluent ponds.
Fish and other species had deserted the area and coconut trees were barren. Various skin diseases were noticed in adults and children residing in the region.
It is also noted that the water in and around the factory was of very poor quality. The pollution, initially confined to the neighbourhood of the factory, was slowly spreading towards the
surrounding areas through the alluvial aquifers. Migration of the toxic elements could impact on the quality of water in the aquifers and endanger public health, it warned.
The companys claim that the impact of its effluents was limited to less than 100 meters of the discharge point, after which the acidity was neutralised by the sea. We noticed that about
15 sq.km. area was badly affected and that the pollution was slowly spreading in all directions. Some remedial measures were called for to restore the water quality of the area. The
company had to ensure that the acidic effluents were neutralised before discharge.
Water Pollution Control Measures adopted by KMMLCentralised Effluent Neutralisation Plant
The present system of wastewater treatment adopted by KMML is neutralisation of the wastewater with lime in the Centralised Effluent Neutralisation plant. The treated wastewater is
then pumped to the settling ponds for solid settling. The supernatant overflowing to the polishing pond is pumped to the sea.The settling ponds were constructed as per the guidelines.
The solid wastes generated from Centralised Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Acid Regeneration Plant (ARP) is presently being stored in these lined ponds.
There is a sophisticated instrumentation system for the continuous recording of the pH in the Secondary Neutralisation Tank of their ETP. The quality of the pH of the treated effluent is
continuously monitored and controlled with the aid of this system. The pH of effluent in the polishing pond is checked daily and reported to the Pollution Control Board (PCB) every
month.
Construction of new secured landfills
KMML is constructing two new secured landfills for storage of the Effluent Treatment Plant sludge and the iron oxide. The area of these ponds is 36,000 m2 each and they are being
constructed as per the CPCB guidelines. The construction of these ponds are fast progressing.
Environmental PolicyTo protect and safeguard the environment by:
Strictly complying with the statutory and regulatory requirements
Managing and continually improving processes, activities and products in view
To control their impact on land, air and water and thus prevent pollution
To control their impact on land, air and water and thus prevent pollution
To reduce health and safety risks
To optimise the use of resources