Pollutants turn Bhavani river water black

COIMBATORE: The Bhavani River between Mettupalayam and Sirumugai has turned black due to decreased water flow and high levels of sewage discharge. AIADMK MLA A K Selvaraj, along with officials, inspected the affected areas on Friday and identified the reason as pollutants from locally-run dying units and deemed the water not consumable.

As Jadayampalayam panchayat is solely dependent on this river for drinking water supply, it has been included under the Tiruppur II water supply scheme, the MLA said.

The Bhavani River flows from the Pillur Dam to the Bhavani Sagar Dam, passing through Mettupalayam and Sirumugai. Both towns, as well as local bodies in the surroundings of Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, and Karamadai, rely on the river for their drinking water. Meanwhile, some local bodies and private firms discharge sewage into the river without treatment.