Coimbatore's Smart City Lakes Suffer Due to Non-Functional Sewage Treatment Plants
The city of Coimbatore, known for its Smart City initiative, is facing a major issue with its sewage treatment plants (STPs). A recent visit by the Times of India revealed that several STPs around the city's lakes are non-functional, leading to untreated water being released into the lakes.
Costly Mistakes
The STPs, which were set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore, depending on the size, were meant to treat wastewater entering the lakes. However, a visit to the STPs in water bodies in Coimbatore, including those near Valankulam lake and Periyakulam, revealed that most of these facilities are in disrepair.
Valankulam Lake STP
- The 2 MLD STP at Valankulam lake is partially functioning, while the 3 MLD plant is completely shut down.
- The inflow meter at the 3 MLD plant is damaged, and the pipeline connecting the collection tank to the settling tank is damaged.
- The corporation has paid an average of Rs 12,500 as electric charge in previous months for the 2MLD STP, indicating the plant's idle condition.
- In contrast, the corporation has paid Rs 2-2.25 lakh for the 3 MLD plant despite its non-functioning condition.
Periyakulam STP
- The plant supervisor's cabin remains locked, and there are no signs of water entering the collection tank.
- The stagnant water in the collection tank has become a breeding ground for various insects.
- A snake was spotted resting along the tank.
Experts Weigh In
Rotarian MD Ramamoorthy has suggested that the STPs at the city lakes need to be upgraded in their technology to adopt more advanced methods like the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) method. He also pointed out that the Sulur STP plant, which is run in a public-private partnership mode, has successfully operated for the last seven years with no hindrance.
Corporation's Response
Corporation commissioner Katta Ravi Teja has summoned the contractors for the non-operation of the STPs. He has directed the officials to prepare a new contract proposal for the Valankulam STP and present it in the upcoming council meeting.
Conclusion
The non-functional STPs in Coimbatore's Smart City lakes are a major concern, and immediate action needs to be taken to rectify the situation. The city's residents and authorities must work together to ensure that the STPs are properly maintained and upgraded to provide effective treatment of wastewater.