Karnataka rivers choke as water quality dips to dangerous levels
Class D river stations
National Water Quality Monitoring Programme
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
Rivers in Karnataka, which are being monitored under the(NWMP), are deteriorating at an alarming rate.The number of river monitoring stations reporting poor water quality has doubled over the last five years, raising serious environmental concerns across the state. According to the(KSPCB), in 2019-20, 10 river stations were classified under the Class D category. That figure has now risen to 20.Simultaneously, the number of stations with water quality under Class C has dropped from 77 to 59—pointing to a steady decline in overall river health.KSPCB officials attribute the degradation primarily to the unchecked discharge of untreated sewage from surrounding towns, cities, and villages into rivers. The majority of river stretches in Karnataka now fall under the Class C category, which means the water is fit for domestic use after physical and chemical treatment followed by disinfection.Under the NWMP, KSPCB monitors seven major river systems in the state—Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar, and the West Flowing Rivers. The Board collects water samples from 325 monitoring stations, including 100 river stations, 196 lakes or tanks, two bore wells, and five coastal and marine areas. Unlike stagnant water bodies such as lakes and ponds, rivers possess a natural self-purification process, making them easier to rejuvenate using nature-based interventions. However, the growing number of river stations under Class D highlights a lack of effective on-ground pollution control measures.'If the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste is halted, river water quality can improve significantly within a short period,' said a city-based hydrologist. 'The increase in Class D stations clearly shows that this essential step is still not being implemented effectively.'Currently, KSPCB permits the discharge of treated industrial effluents into rivers at just three locations across the state Bhadra River near Bhadravathi in Shivamogga, Tungabhadra River near Harihar in Haveri, and Kali River near Bangur Nagar in Dandeli.
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Karnataka rivers choke as water quality dips to dangerous levels
Class D river stations National Water Quality Monitoring Programme Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Rivers in Karnataka, which are being monitored under the(NWMP), are deteriorating at an alarming number of river monitoring stations reporting poor water quality has doubled over the last five years, raising serious environmental concerns across the state. According to the(KSPCB), in 2019-20, 10 river stations were classified under the Class D category. That figure has now risen to the number of stations with water quality under Class C has dropped from 77 to 59—pointing to a steady decline in overall river officials attribute the degradation primarily to the unchecked discharge of untreated sewage from surrounding towns, cities, and villages into rivers. The majority of river stretches in Karnataka now fall under the Class C category, which means the water is fit for domestic use after physical and chemical treatment followed by the NWMP, KSPCB monitors seven major river systems in the state—Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar, and the West Flowing Rivers. The Board collects water samples from 325 monitoring stations, including 100 river stations, 196 lakes or tanks, two bore wells, and five coastal and marine areas. Unlike stagnant water bodies such as lakes and ponds, rivers possess a natural self-purification process, making them easier to rejuvenate using nature-based interventions. However, the growing number of river stations under Class D highlights a lack of effective on-ground pollution control measures.'If the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste is halted, river water quality can improve significantly within a short period,' said a city-based hydrologist. 'The increase in Class D stations clearly shows that this essential step is still not being implemented effectively.'Currently, KSPCB permits the discharge of treated industrial effluents into rivers at just three locations across the state Bhadra River near Bhadravathi in Shivamogga, Tungabhadra River near Harihar in Haveri, and Kali River near Bangur Nagar in Dandeli.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
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