Plan for sewage treatment plants on Uyyakondan bank still remains on paper
The canal, a distributary of the Cauvery, which irrigates agricultural lands in Tiruchi and parts of Thanjavur districts, has been subjected to heavy urban pollution over the past few decades
The Tiruchi City Corporation’s plan to establish sewage treatment plants (STPs) on the banks of the Uyyakondan canal to treat the wastewater discharged from commercial and residential buildings is yet to take o.
The Uyyakondan canal, a distributary of the Cauvery, which irrigates agricultural lands in Tiruchi and parts of Thanjavur districts, has been subjected to heavy urban pollution over the past few decades. The inordinate delay in setting up the treatment plant has caused resentment among residents.
The plan to set up STPs on the banks of the Uyyakondan canal was mooted in 2019 by the district administration after identifying the highly polluted spots. The authorities urged the Corporation to establish treatment plants at suitable places to scientically remove contaminants
The free-flowing Uyyakondan is polluted with household sewage and garbage in Tiruchi.
and pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged into the canal.
In order to install the STPs, the civic body proposed a plan to set up the facility near Alwarthope and sought nancial support from private companies. However, the project was shelved because of delay in allocation of funds.
Initially, the ocial proposed to set up STPs at more than ve locations.
Now, with the underground drainage (UGD) system in place, the Corporation expects to curb pollution. “We are expediting measures to ensure UGD connections to all buildings by June, and they can use the system for water discharge,” said a senior Corporation ocial.
The civic body recently took up a survey to identify buildings that continue to discharge water into the
canal, and notices were served to the owners of those properties.
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department has planned to renovate the 15km-long city stretch of the canal at an estimate of ₹172 crore. The Detailed Project Report has been submitted and is awaiting approval. The ocials have plans to revive the STP project after the renovation of the canal.