19 lakh litres of effluent found in stream near SPAC units in Erode
Authorities in Erode, India, discovered nearly 19 lakh litres of industrial effluent accumulated in a stream near SPAC Starch and Ethanol units. Following local protests regarding health concerns, the district collector has ordered the installation of zero liquid discharge systems and continuous monitoring.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between industrial development and environmental safety in rural India, emphasizing the role of local government in enforcing pollution control.
Nearly 19 lakh litres of effluent had accumulated at a check dam across the Siru Aaru stream near SPAC Starch and SPAC Ethanol units at Poonaachi village in Erode district, a field inspection by officials has found.
According to a press release issued by Collector S. Kandasamy, the inspection on October 9 found that effluent discharged daily from the SPAC bioethanol plant had accumulated in the stream. A considerable quantity of untreated domestic wastewater from the staff quarters of the industrial units had also entered the watercourse.
Water samples were collected from six locations along the stream, from Odaimedu to the stretch behind Nathamedu Government Middle School, for analysis. The effluent accumulated at the check dam had a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of 560 parts per million (ppm).
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