High faecal contamination levels detected in six Keralam rivers
Water quality monitoring in Kerala has revealed high levels of faecal contamination across six major rivers, with coliform counts significantly exceeding the CPCB's safety limits. Data collected between February and May 2026 indicates severe pollution in stretches of the Periyar, Karamana, and Chitrapuzha rivers.
Why it matters
Widespread water contamination poses a significant public health risk and highlights critical failures in environmental management and sewage treatment.
An analysis of water samples carried out as part of the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revealed exceeding levels of faecal contamination along the monitoring stations on the Karamana, Periyar, Kadambrayar, Chitrapuzha, Chalakudy and Kallai rivers in Keralam.
The total coliform count, indicating faecal contamination, recorded at the polluted stretches varied between 4,500 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml to 5.5 lakh MPN from February 2026 to May 2026.
The maximum permissible limit of total coliform in bathing water, as prescribed by the CPCB, is less than 2,500 MPN per 100 ml. Samples are collected and tested from fixed locations along the 32 polluted river stretches in Kerala every month as part of the monitoring programme. The results are compiled by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and submitted before the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
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