Multi-disciplinary panel recommended to probe groundwater contamination by waste dumped in quarries

The District Environmental Engineer (DEE-Tiruppur), Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), has recommended formation of a multi-disciplinary technical committee to take up a comprehensive field investigation of the ‘Contaminated Site’ encompassing abandoned quarries at Mudalipalayam and Nallur. Waste from the Tiruppur City Municipal Corporation had been dumped in this site.

The panel should be represented by the TNPCB, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Anna University, and other experts.

In the recommendations made to the TNPCB, T.G. Lavanya, District Environmental Engineer, Tiruppur North, said the scope of the studies should include assessment of the extent and pathways of groundwater contamination; evaluation of effectiveness of the existing leachate management and containment measures; formulating of short and long-term strategies to improve groundwater quality, and strengthening environmental safeguards.

The detailed report by the DEE, submitted after an inspection in July, confirmed widespread groundwater contamination caused by industrial waste.