Salem: With froth forming in the Thirumanimutharu river in the last few days, the district administration has formed special teams to investigate the reasons for its formation.
A video showing huge amount of froth covering the river has gone viral, prompting authorities to swing into action. District Collector Rohini R Bhajibhakare said she has directed the pollution control board chief, who is the district environment engineer, to look into the matter.
“I have instructed him to take samples and get it checked with the laboratory so that we get to know the reason behind that froth,” she told PTI.
She said Salem city alone received 72 mm rainfall on Monday. “So that can be one of the reasons as to why some kind of chemicals or sewage water got mixed with the Thirumanimutharu river. But, we will get to know after the laboratory results come out,” the collector said.
On the initiative taken by the administration, she said, “special teams comprising officials of revenue, local board and pollution control board have been formed. We are taking coordinated action involving different departments.” Asked if froth may be due to effluents released from dyeing units, she said, “If the froth is due to effluents from dyeing units, we will take action if they are involved.”
The administration has already taken severe action in the last two months and have dismantled many dyeing units in the district which were releasing untreated effluents into the river, she said. “We have taken severe action against them. When we get to know after the laboratory results, we will take action if at all they are involved,” she said.