KOCHI: The long-running sewage and solid waste dumping dispute involving Kent Mahal Apartments in Brahmapuram has taken a significant turn, with laboratory tests detecting bacterial contamination in wastewater samples as well as in drinking water drawn from nearby wells.
For nearly a decade, residents of Vadavucode-Puthencruz have alleged that wastewater discharged from the apartment complex has been affecting nearby water bodies, fields and residential areas. The test results have now brought renewed attention to a controversy that has remained unresolved despite years of complaints, official interventions and court proceedings.
The Community Health Centre, Vadavucode, recently collected two samples of water discharged through the channel running behind the apartment complex and sent them to the Regional Public Health Laboratory. It detected the presence of coliform bacteria in the samples.
An analysis of drinking water samples collected from nearby wells at the Regional Analytical Laboratory, Kakkanad detected both coliform bacteria and E. coli, raising concerns about groundwater quality in the areas.
The developments follow a High Court directive to the district collector to inspect the area and submit a report. Residents now hope the latest findings will help bring greater urgency to the issue.
“Nearby wells are getting affected due to lack of proper treatment of wastewater from the apartment complex. The action council is taking the issue seriously and, so far, things have been moving in a favourable direction,” said Anas, a resident who has been at the forefront of protests against the alleged dumping.
The Kent Mahal sewage dispute came to public attention nine years ago when residents alleged that wastewater from the apartment complex was being discharged into nearby land and water channels.
While authorities, including the panchayat and Kerala State Pollution Control Board, intervened over the years, residents say the issue continues to affect them.