Domestic sewage and effluents entering River Cauvery in Bhavani in Erode district in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M.
Untreated household sewage and effluents from textile processing units continue to enter the Cauvery at Bhavani in the district, raising concerns over deteriorating water quality in one of the State’s most important rivers.Sewage from houses located along the river is discharged directly into the Cauvery through open drains, while a few textile processing units are alleged to release untreated effluents into the river. At several locations, drains carrying domestic sewage flow into the Cauvery, contaminating the water.The pollution assumes significance as the river is a major source of drinking water for several districts and the principal source of irrigation for the Cauvery delta. Environmentalists point out that the continuous discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents degrades water quality, increases the organic and chemical load, and affects the river’s ecological balance.They warn that untreated sewage depletes dissolved oxygen levels, threatening fish and other aquatic organisms, while textile effluents may contain chemicals that persist in water and sediment. The contamination also increases the burden on drinking water treatment plants and could affect agricultural lands irrigated with river water over time.Residents said the problem has persisted for years despite repeated representations to the authorities. They alleged that no effective measures have been taken either to intercept sewage entering the river or to prevent the discharge of untreated industrial effluents.Environmental activists have urged the State government and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to ensure that all domestic sewage is diverted to treatment facilities, monitor industrial units regularly, and take action against violators. They also called for a time-bound plan to restore the river and prevent further pollution. Published - July 21, 2026 05:48 pm IST
