Nontoxic water pollution at Iril river ?
After greenish water, dead fishes follow
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 18: Despite the Environment and Ecology Wing of the State Government ruling out any toxic chemicals for the greenish colouration of water at Iril river in some parts of Imphal East, a large number of fish were found dead at the river today, triggering panic.

However, it is pertinent to mention here that the report submitted by the Environment and Ecology Wing, which was submitted to the State Government on May 17 had categorically stated, "fishes and cattle may die when the raw water is consumed by them.

Quoting scientific reports, the report added that though such type of algae may not cause direct effects to humans it may cause indirect effect after consuming fish from such water because of the poisonous protein products."

Floating fishes, scabies infected by water, catches in a plate etc

Even as the villagers woke up from their slumber and readied themselves for the day's work, they saw a large number of fishes floating in the Iril river.

As news spread, the villagers waded down to the river to pick up the fishes which had surfaced.

The fish species which were found on the surface of the water included, Ngaril, Ngahou, Ngayek, Ngapang, Ngashep, Ngawa etc.

Fresh water shrimps were also found.

A large number of river crabs were also found climbing up the river spot, ostensibly to get away from the river water.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, villagers of Khewa Awang Leikai said that they had stopped using the river's water after it started turning greenish in the last few days.

The fishes which were found floating were not consumed but disposed off, they informed.

A few unfortunate villagers who had used the river's water to bathe had developed rashes, scabies and other skin ailments.

Though the water was greenish at first, from today it has started turning blackish.

The odour of the water is also getting stronger, they said.

On the other hand, the water supply plant at Porompat which had resumed providing water to water tankers today morning with the same drawn from Iril river had to suspend the operation in the evening as the water's odour was too strong.

Earlier the Environment and Ecology Wing of the State Government in its report to the Principal Secretary of Forests and Environment had stated that the greenish colouration of the water at Iril river is due to suspension of fresh water algae also called alqal water bloom.

The report said, 'this greenish colouration is supposed to be not related to any toxic chemicals'.

The parameters, as per the findings of the physico-chemical analysis as well as micro biology analysis result, are within the required desirable limit as described by the Indian Standard Specifications for Drinking Water, IS : 10500 and WHO guidelines, except pH, turbidity, bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) and some microbiological parameters lie total coliform and faecal coliform of which may be treated after filter and boiling the water, added the report.

Despite rejecting any toxic chemicals, the report however cautioned that fishes and cattle may die when the raw is consumed by them.

Quoting scientific reports, the report added that though such type of algae may not cause direct effects to humans it may cause indirect effect after consuming fish from such water because of the poisonous protein products.

The Environment and Ecology Wing had also advised that the water be used for domestic purposes after filtration and proper boiling.