Environmentalists blame PMC's poor sewage treatment for increase in Mutha water pollution
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Pune: PMC's efforts to treat sewage have been falling short, the civic body's environment status report for 2024-25 has revealed.
The COD (chemical oxygen demand) and BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) levels in the Mutha river have increased over the year, which, according to environmentalists, indicates poor water quality.
Environmentalists have claimed that the administration has not been treating sewage properly, leading to deterioration in the river's water quality.
PMC officials said that projects to augment the city's sewage treatment capacity are in the pipeline.
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Both COD and BOD indicate the amount of contamination in a water sample. COD is the amount of oxygen required to chemically break down contaminants, while BOD is the amount of oxygen required for biodegradation by microorganisms.
High levels of BOD and COD signify a significant presence of organic pollutants. This surge in pollutants can lead to oxygen depletion in water, posing severe risks to aquatic life.
As per the ESR, COD in the Mutha river was 86.22 mg/l in 2023-24, which increased to 95.27 mg/l in 2024-25. A marginal increase in BOD was also observed, rising to 27.71 mg/l from 27.67 mg/l. The lake water of Pashan saw an increase in BOD from 103.81 mg/l to 115.07 mg/l, while COD decreased marginally from 33.25 mg/l to 32.67 mg/l.
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In Katraj Lake, COD level increased, while BOD decreased. The COD in this lake was 10.20 mg/l.
It went up to 10.30 mg/l, while BOD dropped from 33.94 mg/l to 31.14 mg/l.
"The civic administration should focuses more on real issues like dealing with sewage treatment. Unfortunately, projects like riverfront development, which are not needed, are being prioritised," said Shailaja Deshpande of Jeevitnadi, an organisation working for conservation of rivers.
"A number of projects has been announced but they are getting delayed. The administration should ensure that sewage treatment plants are completed on time. Only then will the problem of untreated sewage discharge be reduced," said Sanjay Lalwani, an environmentalist.
The civic areas have 10 STPs and 11 more are planned to be constructed under a special project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA.)
Civic officials said that currently, 477 MLD of sewage is being treated daily. After completion of JICA project by March 2026, the capacity will increase by an additional 396 MLD.
Improvement in existing 10 STPs has also been proposed. PMC has approved Rs450 crore to augment the capacity of six sewage treatment plants (STPs). The sewage generated from GBS-affected Sinhagad Road area, and places near Bhairoba Nullah, Narveer Tanajiwadi, Erandwane, Naidu Hospital, and Bopodi would be treated properly after the augmentation of STPs, said officials.
The project would be jointly funded by PMC, the state govt, and the central govt's Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
PMC would bear 40% of the project's cost, with the rest shared by the central and state govts. Two out of six STPs would be completely revamped. The current combined treatment capacity of these plants is 362 MLD, which will increase to 461 MLD after augmentation.
"A number of sewage treatments plants, including those dedicated to newly merged areas, has been planned. These include construction of STPs, laying of pipelines and allied infrastructure. Once completed, they will increase the treatment capacity of civic areas," said Jagdish Khanore, head of PMC's drainage department.
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