There has been no significant improvement in water quality in the Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi Rivers, according to the latest Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) report.
With little progress being made in reviving the heavily polluted rivers that run through the state capital, the District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has passed an order under Section 163 of the BNSS to try and rectify this.
The order was issued on May 13 but shared with the press today. In it, the DM said that the MSPCB conducted water quality tests at several locations – near the Law College and Umshyrpi Bridge for the Umshyrpi River and Demthring, Urkaliar, Mawlai Phudmuri slaughterhouse and Mawlai Mawndang for the Wahumkhrah.
The report found that there has been an increase in biological oxygen demand (BOD) and faecal coliform bacteria, two key indicators of poor water quality. Unauthorised discharge of domestic sewage from septic tanks into the two rivers and the dumping of garbage into the water bodies or roads is contributing to the pollution levels and making the water unfit to support aquatic life or to be used for domestic purposes.
In light of this, the DM passed an order banning the unauthorised discharge of domestic sewage from septic tanks, houses, automobile workshops, commercial establishments, etc and the dumping of garbage into the water bodies or roads at the above mentioned locations. Violations will be punished by law. The order comes into immediate effect.
