Coliform bacteria in Krishna and Godavari river waters

HYDERABAD: Water quality of rivers in Telangana are as bad as the lakes in Hyderabad. While Musi is highly polluted the Telangana State, Pollution Control Board latest data revealed that

River Godavari

and River Krishna have total and faecal

coliform bacteria

alarmingly. Coliform bacteria that indicates mixing of sewerage and faecal matter into the rivers is also seen in Manjeera too. PCB monitors river quality continuously.

According to the PCB data, River Godavari has highest coliform bacteria at Godavarikhani and Ramagundem was sewage water is directly released into the river. Despite Sewage treatment plants constructed, they are not put into the use.

In Hyderabad, several tanks and lakes are worst polluted than Hussainsagar. According to PCB data Asani Kunta, Sai Cheruvu and Noor Mohammed Kunt are highest polluted bodies in the GHMC limits. Amber Cheruvu in Kukatpally, Hasmathpet lake, Saroornagar lake, Fox Sagar, Banjara Lake receives more sewage than Hussainsagar.

Almost all monitoring stations of Telangana had shown coliform bacteria while the lowest is at Basara where coliform is 148 Most Probable Number(MPN) per 1000 Ml whereas it is highest at Ramagundem at 847 MPN per 1000ml. Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in surface water, and in human or animal waste. Though total coliforms can come from sources other than faecal matter, a positive total coliform bacteria presence should be considered to confirm faecal contamination. Fecal coliform is a subgroup of total coliform.

Nakkavagu at Bachugudem that confluence with

river Manjeera

had shown highest of 1013 MPN. River Manjeera the tributary of river Godavari at Gowdicherla had shown 116 coliforms. River Krishna at Tangadi and Gadwal bridge has significant coliform and at Wadapally where Musi meet is 739 indicating the pollution.
Interestingly Musi at Gandipet has coliform bacteria and also at Pratapasingaram, Nagole and Kasainguda in Suryapet have high levels.

“Neither Krishna, Godavari and Manjeera water is potable untreated. Only after treatment, they are fit for human consumption. Ideally in any drinking water coliform shall be zero however if it is 50 below it is called A class drinking water which can be treated and used. Irrigation parametres in Krishna and Godavari are good. The boron levels are below two milligrams per litre. PH levels are alkaline indicating salt formation. They are all okay levels for irrigation parameters,” said a PCB official.

• River Godavari at Mancherial 375 MPN per 1000ml of total coliform
• River Godavari at Badrachalam bathing ghat has 305 MPN per 1000ml of total coliform
• River Godavari at Mantani has 847 MPN per 1000 ml
• River Krishna at Thangadi has 187 MPN per 1000ml
• River Krishna at Gadwal bridge has 195 MPN per 1000ml
• River Krishna at Wadapally has 739 MPN per 1000 Ml

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