COIMBATORE: Currently, there are no signs of treated water being released into the Smart City lakes in Coimbatore, as most of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) around these lakes are non-functional. A recent visit by the Times of India (TOI) revealed that at least four lakes equipped with STPs are not operational, with inflows completely halted.These STPs were set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore, depending on the size.The city corporation had privatized the operation and maintenance of each of these STPs.TOI visited the STPs in water bodies in Coimbatore, including those near Valankulam lake and Periyakulam. The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation had set up two units at Valankulam lake to treat wastewater entering the lake, one with a capacity of 2 million liters per day (MLD) and another with a capacity of 3 MLD. However, both facilities appeared to be in disrepair.TOI spoke to a sub-contractor in charge of the 2 MLD STP at Valankulam. “We took over this plant a year ago. Since then, we have replaced a motor, an inflow filter, and parts within the main tank with the reactors. There are still additional works going on, such as covering the tank with green mess to prevent foam from flying onto the road and causing inconvenience to the public.”In contrast, the 3 MLD plant appeared to be overgrown with bushes and seemed abandoned.Hari, a corporation employee in charge of overseeing these two plants, admitted that the inflow meter at the 3 MLD plant was damaged, which has not been replaced.R Manikandan, founder of the city-based NGO Kovai Kulangal Pathukapu Amaipu, alleges that these two STPs were non-operational for more than 18 months.Speaking to TOI, Manikandan said, “How is it possible to treat wastewater when inflow to these STPs has been completely cut off? The 2 MLD plant is partially functioning, while the 3 MLD plant is completely shut down. The flowmeter that measures the inflow is broken, and the pipeline connecting the collection tank to the settling tank is damaged. In this condition, how can the plant operate?”According to sources, the corporation has paid on an average Rs 12,500 as electric charge in previous months for 2MLD STP, proving the plant’s idle condition. In case of the 3 MLD plant, it has paid Rs 2-2.25 lakh despite non-functioning of the plant but keeping the aeration motors running.Manikandan asked, “If the plant has actually not treated wastewater, what is the point in paying a large sum for electricity bill?”The situation at Periyakulam STP is no different. The plant supervisor’s cabin remains locked, and there were no signs of water entering the collection tank to be transferred to the equalizer tank. The stagnant water in the collection tank had become a breeding ground for various insects. A snake was spotted resting along the tank. The equaliser tank, which also contained stagnant water, had large-sized fish breeding in it.Similarly, the entrance gate at the Krishnampathy lake STP was locked, prohibiting entry, and we could observe that there was no one present during our visit.Citing an example of the Sulur STP plant run in a public-private partnership mode, Rotarian MD Ramamoorthy said, “The STPs at the city lakes need to be upgraded in their technology. More advancements have emerged, and we are still stuck with the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) method. The Sulur plant combines a solar panel to support its electricity consumption, which can be adopted in the city lakes, as well. It has continued to run for the last seven years with no hindrance.”Corporation commissioner Katta Ravi Teja, who inspected the STPs at Valankulam on Wednesday, summoned the contractors for the non-operation. According to corporation sources, the contract period for one of the STPs at the Valankulam lake had expired a few months ago, but due to the model code of conduct in force, the corporation had not floated a new tender. The commissioner had directed the officials to immediately prepare a new contract proposal and present it in the upcoming council meeting.
