Water quality in Hussain Sagar yet to return to pre-idol immersion levels: TGPCB

Water quality in Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar deteriorated during the Ganesh idol immersion period, with key parameters such as turbidity, suspended solids, COD, BOD and coliform levels registering a rise across monitoring locations.

Hyderabad: Water quality in Hussain Sagar was affected during Ganesh idol immersion, with turbidity, suspended solids and chemical pollutants remaining elevated even after the immersion.

An analysis of water samples by the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has revealed an increase in turbidity levels at all six monitoring locations in Hussain Sagar during the immersion.

The highest turbidity level of 200 NTU was recorded at Necklace Road during the immersion period. Although the levels declined after immersion, they did not return to their pre-immersion levels, the TGPCB said on Friday.

The water quality levels were monitored at Platform No. 1 and 2 opposite NTR Park, near Lumbini Park, Necklace Road, the immersion point near Lepakshi Handicrafts and near the Buddha Statue (midstream).

The TG PCB collected water samples before the immersion on September 11, during immersion period September on 17, 19, 21 and 23, and after immersion on September 28. Water quality tests were conducted on these samples.

The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) levels increased, with the highest concentration of 99 mg/L recorded at Platform No. 1, opposite NTR Park, during immersion. While there was a decline in levels after immersion, they did not return to their pre-immersion levels.
The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels increased at all monitoring locations during the immersion. The highest COD concentration of 164 mg/L was recorded at Necklace Road. Even after immersion, COD levels at all locations did not return to their pre-immersion levels.

The sample analysis shows that total Coliform levels increased during immersion, but they came down at three locations — Necklace Road, Lepakshi Handicrafts, Lumbini Park and near the Buddha Statue – after the celebrations. However, at platforms No. 1 and 2 opposite NTR Park, the elevated levels were observed during immersion and even continued after immersion, with no reduction compared to the levels recorded before immersion.

Further, faecal coliform levels went up at four locations — platforms No. 1 and 2 opposite NTR Park, Necklace Road and near the Buddha Statue. Although a decline was observed after immersion, the levels did not return to the pre-immersion levels.

At Lumbini Park, Faecal Coliform levels increased further after immersion compared to the levels recorded before immersion. The analysis revealed that there were no significant changes in Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in Hussain Sagar due to Ganesh idol immersion.

Rainfall on September 14, 19, 20 and 22 resulted in rainwater runoff from the catchment areas entering Hussain Sagar. In this context, variations were observed in certain water quality parameters, including COD, BOD and Hardness, the TG PCB said.