The Coimbatore City lies within the watershed expanse of the Noyyal River Basin and consists of a network of tanks and canals. About 18 tanks in the city act as storage and percolation tanks and are major sources of ground water. Canals that act as natural drainage courses, serves as storm water drains for the Coimbatore city.
An analysis of nine water bodies of city by a local NGO indicates that most of the water bodies are contaminated. The discharge of industrial and domestic effluents, encroachments of tank and canal beds, exploitation of ground water are some of the important factors causing damage to these water bodies.
A key factor responsible for polluting the water bodies is the discharge of untreated effluents from small scale industrial units lacking in adequate individual treatment facilities. With major water bodies being polluted, an immediate effect is noticed on the health of the vulnerable communities residing on the banks of the canals and tanks. Further, there is a risk of contamination of ground water, resulting from over exploitation of ground water by
domestic and industrial users.
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