Sewage overflow from Panjapur STP raises concern

Farmers have raised concerns over the alleged discharge of untreated sewage from the existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Panjapur into Koraiyar River, which joins the Cauvery, and have sought measures to prevent contamination of water sources downstream.

They alleged that sewage had overflowed from the treatment facility and accumulated in low-lying areas near the plant before entering the Koraiyar through a pipeline. The stagnant sewage was also causing foul odour and inconvenience to residents and passengers travelling to and from the Panjapur bus stand, they said.

Tiruchi Corporation, however, said the overflow was caused by a temporary blockage in the conduit connecting the primary treatment plant with Anaerobic Pond-2 at the existing STP. The conduit opening had become clogged with sludge and silt, restricting sewage flow into the anaerobic pond and causing backflow into the primary treatment plant, an official said.