Geo-Eye

Abstract

The Adyar river originates near the Chembarabakkam Lake in Kanchipuram district, is one of the two rivers which winds through Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and joins the Bay of Bengal at the Adyar Estuary. The 42.5-kilometre long river contributes to the estuarine ecosystem of Chennai and has been subjected to immense degradation and pollution due to the huge amount of domestic wastewater entering the river. Despite the persistent efforts in the form of the Adyar Eco Park - phase I and II, the river quality has not improved. The aim of the present study was carried out to assess the status of water quality of Adyar river in Chennai city using physicochemical parameters, the secondary samples were collected from Manapakkam bridge, Thiru Vi Ka bridge, Slaughter house, Manapakkam STP outlet, Nesapakkam STP outlet extension for the year 2008-2009 &2015-2016. The selected Parameters such as BOD, COD, pH, TSS, TDS, and EC were analysed with the Drinking water quality standards of BIS (2012) and WHO. Encroachment is also another major problem in the River Adyar which blocks the storm water drain and doesn’t allow the river to recharge in monsoon period. The industrial Sector and the slaughter house source point has found to be more polluted compared to the other sample locations, these points are found to highly polluted in the pre – Monsoon Period, when the river is not recharged.

Keywords: Water Quality, Encroachments, Pollution and Urbanisation.