Ahmedabad: Toxic Industrial Waste Poured into Residential Drains

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) launched investigation into its
newly constructed INR 150 crore sewage treatment plant (STP) and stumbled upon
a shocking revelation — an illicit practice of discharging untreated industrial
effluent into residential drains.

Sewage samples collected within a 1-km radius of the Pirana sewage treatment
plant (STP) by the AMC unveiled a disconcerting reality. The samples showed that
highly acidic waste, characterised by pH levels ranging from two to four, had
infiltrated the drainage system from within residential clusters.

This discovery marks the first instance of such clandestine practices being
identified by the civic body. Investigations indicated that the illegal dumping
primarily occurred during the early morning hours, between 3 am and 6 am.
AMC officials disclosed that the investigative team initiated their search by
sampling manholes along a 55 km drainage line over several days. Eventually,
their focus zeroed in on a specific manhole situated 1 km away from the STP.

The acidic sewage infiltrating the STP had dire consequences as it hindered the
generation of sewage gas that could have been harnessed to produce electricity.
The acidity levels killed the microorganisms responsible for generating gas.
This revelation sheds light on a grave environmental violation that not only
impacts efficiency of critical infrastructure like the STP, but also poses a
significant threat to the surrounding residential areas and their inhabitants.