KOCHI: A scientific assessment of Kochi’s primary waterbodies has revealed highly alarming levels of contamination, with all six heavily monitored locations testing positive for E. coli bacteria. This critical finding clearly indicates severe faecal pollution across the city’s aquatic channels, triggering serious concerns over public health conditions and urban environmental safety.
The disturbing findings are part of an extensive water quality monitoring project undertaken by the Future Kerala Mission (FKM), an environmental initiative of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Kochi. Based on numerous water samples systematically collected during May and June 2026, the scientific study verified that all six test locations failed to meet basic microbiological safety standards in both consecutive months. Even more concerning, Streptococci—a category of bacteria capable of causing severe human infections including life-threatening blood sepsis—were explicitly detected at the Thuthiyoor Vettuveli Ferry location.
The study further highlighted a dramatic deterioration in the physical and chemical properties of the water samples. For instance, the Kakkanad Ferry Terminal recorded an alarming turbidity level of 9.2 NTU, which stands nearly ten times above the desirable safety limit, pointing to a dense concentration of suspended toxic particles. At Pokkali Park on Chilavannur Bund Road, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) peaked at a staggering 10,316 mg/L in May and remained critically high at 3,068 mg/L in June. Similarly, the chloride concentration at Pokkali Park was measured at 1,277.62 mg/L, vastly exceeding permissible limits and rendering the water entirely unsuitable for domestic or recreational use. The research project is led by Dr. Abhijith Muralidharan, Assistant Professor at the Centre of Research in Marine Science (CRMS), JAIN University Kochi. He emphasized that the findings underscore an urgent need for a systematic, city-wide strategy to control untreated wastewater discharge and urban runoff.
The environmental assessment strictly adhered to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards established for outdoor bathing water quality. Water samples were gathered from Kakkanad Ferry Terminal, Aarattukadavu Walkway, Chambakkara Canal Viewpoint, Thuthiyoor Vettuveli Ferry, Vyttila Water Metro, and Pokkali Park, with all rigorous testing executed at a NABL-accredited laboratory. Describing the data as a matter of grave concern, Prof. Venu Rajamony, Chairperson of the Future Kerala Mission, stated that these findings demand immediate intervention by state authorities. Dr. Tom Joseph, Director of New Initiatives at JAIN University, added that this initiative aims to supply evidence-based, scientific solutions to support ongoing government efforts in protecting and restoring Kochi’s vulnerable urban water ecosystems.
ലഘു വിവരണം
കൊച്ചിയിലെ പ്രമുഖ ജലാശയങ്ങളിൽ മലമൂത്രവിസMetaDataർജ്ജനം വഴിയുണ്ടാകുന്ന കടുത്ത മലിനീകരണവും ‘ഇ കോളി’ ബാക്ടീരിയയുടെ മാരകമായ സാന്നിധ്യവും കണ്ടെത്തിയതായി ജെയിൻ യൂണിവേഴ്സിറ്റിയുടെ ഫ്യൂച്ചർ കേരള മിഷൻ നടത്തിയ പഠനത്തിൽ വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു. 2026 മെയ്, ജൂൺ മാസങ്ങളിൽ നഗരത്തിലെ ആറ് പ്രധാന കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന് ശേഖരിച്ച സാമ്പിളുകൾ സുരക്ഷാ മാനദണ്ഡങ്ങളിൽ പൂർണ്ണമായും പരാജയപ്പെട്ടു. ജലത്തിൽ രാസപദാർത്ഥങ്ങളുടെയും ലവണങ്ങളുടെയും അളവ് അനുവദനീയമായതിലും പതിന്മടങ്ങ് കൂടുതലാണെന്നും അടിയന്തരമായി അധികൃതർ ഇടപെടണമെന്നും ഗവേഷകർ മുന്നറിയിപ്പ് നൽകുന്നു.
(With inputs from TNIE)
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