Untreated effluent from STP polluting Ganga near its source

DEHRADUN: Untreated effluent discharged from a sewage treatment plant (STP) is polluting Ganga near its source, a report submitted to National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed. The report, based on findings from Uttarakhand government, was presented during a tribunal hearing on pollution control in Ganga in Uttarakhand.

The NGT, which had requested a report from the state and related authorities, passed an order on Nov 5 and has scheduled the matter for further discussion on Feb 13 next year.

The original application, filed by environmentalist M C Mehta, focuses on preventing and controlling pollution in Ganga and its tributaries. The NGT is addressing the pollution in each state through which Ganga flows.

A bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the submission from an advocate representing one of the intervening applicants, saying, “She (the advocate) has submitted that even the originating point of the pious river Ganga is polluted by the STP discharge .”

According to this submission, sewage samples from the 1 million litres per day (MLD) capacity STP at Gangotri contained faecal coliform (FC) bacteria with a most probable number (MPN) of 540/100 ml. FC levels reflect contamination from human and animal waste. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards state that water with an MPN below 500/100 ml is suitable for organised outdoor bathing.

The tribunal directed Uttarakhand’s chief secretary to review the situation and ensure compliance by submitting a detailed status report.