The water quality in Telangana's two major rivers, Krishna and Godavari, has deteriorated significantly, with bacterial contamination levels far exceeding permissible limits, according to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Alarming Coliform Levels in Krishna River
The latest water quality bulletin reveals that total coliform (TC) levels at several locations along the Krishna river are nearly 20 times higher than the standard prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Total coliforms are key indicators of water contamination and the possible presence of disease-causing microorganisms.
In the Krishna river in Nalgonda and Suryapet districts, the TC count was recorded at 9,200 most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml, against the CPCB-prescribed limit of less than 500 MPN per 100 ml. The contamination levels are even more severe in parts of the Krishna basin in Khammam district, particularly at Wyra and Madhira, where TC concentrations touched 16,000 MPN per 100 ml, nearly 32 times higher than the permissible standard.
Faecal Coliform Contamination Also High
The situation is equally concerning regarding faecal coliform bacteria, which indicate contamination from human and animal waste. Data shows faecal coliform levels in the rivers are around five times higher than the prescribed norms at several monitoring locations. What is particularly alarming is that the contamination levels recorded in the Krishna and Godavari rivers are next to those reported in some of the country's most polluted river stretches, including the Ganga, Yamuna, and Cauvery.
Recent Studies Highlight Deterioration
The deteriorating water quality has been highlighted in several recent studies. A joint study conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and IIT Hyderabad flagged serious concerns in the Godavari basin. The report noted that untreated wastewater from Ramagundam and Mancherial regions was being discharged directly into the river. It also raised concerns about a municipal landfill operated by the Ramagundam Municipal Corporation, located close to the river, posing environmental risks.
Similarly, a report by the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal, identified industrial pollution as a major contributor to contamination in the Krishna river. The study found that pollution originates from multiple industrial clusters across Telangana, including pharmaceutical manufacturing units, heavy water production facilities, and synthetic chemical industries.
Experts Blame Urbanisation and Inadequate Infrastructure
Water experts attribute the worsening situation to rapid urbanisation and the expansion of towns and cities along riverbanks over the past few decades. B Venkateswara Rao, retired professor at the Centre for Water Resources, JNTUH, said: "Both rivers once recorded negligible levels of coliform contamination. However, increasing volumes of untreated sewage are now being discharged directly into the rivers, while sewage treatment infrastructure has failed to keep pace with growing urban populations."
He warned that the geological characteristics of Telangana could aggravate the problem. "Since large stretches of the rivers flow through hard-rock terrain, coliform bacteria do not easily settle into the groundwater system and instead remain suspended in the river flow for longer distances before eventually settling in softer sediment zones downstream," he added.
