Sambalpur: Sambalpur’s Mahanadi River Water Classified as ‘C’, Considered Unusable Due to Pollution
Sambalpur: Sambalpur’s Mahanadi river water has been declared unusable due to significant pollution. Tests done by the central laboratory in Bhubaneswar indicated alarming levels of contaminants, classifying the water as ‘C’ and deeming it unsafe for usage.
Samples from the Mahanadi River in Sambalpur showed high levels of total coliform, fecal coliform, and biological oxygen demand, surpassing safe limits Pollution, mostly produced by untreated city runoff, has resulted in stagnant water in the River Basin.
The situation is serious with previous cases of jaundice epidemics and annual outbreaks of waterborne infections. The contamination results from the direct dumping of sewage and contaminated water into the river, notably near the Balibandha Shiva temple.
The river’s flow is obstructed near Ayodhya Sarovar, exacerbating the problem as polluted water mixes into the river daily. Despite the presence of treatment facilities on the city’s outskirts, filthy water continues to flow into the river without interruption.
These tests, which were done in Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar, evaluated 41 criteria with the assistance of the Central Pollution Control Board of Delhi. Dr. Satya Nanda, a Pollution Control Board officer, underlines the importance of taking fast action to link sewage pipelines and ensure thorough treatment to restore the river’s usability. Samples are collected from upstream of Mahanadi near Burla Bridge, downstream at Shankar Math, and downstream at Huma Temple.
Efforts are underway to address the issue, with plans to divert contaminated water away from the river through proper sewage connections. However, until these measures are implemented, the river water remains unsafe for use.
