Ludhiana MC using poly aluminium chloride to treat wastewater at sewage treatment plant in Jamalpur

The Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana has reportedly started using poly aluminium chloride as part of a trial to treat the wastewater entering the sewage treatment plant in Jamalpur area.

As per the Municipal Corporation officials, the trial started on April 29, and so far the results are encouraging. The black water flowing out of the plant has now diluted and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels have improved.

On Tuesday, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu directed the officials of the Municipal Corporation and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to use poly aluminium chloride for the treatment when he visited the sewage treatment plant to assess the results of the trial.

Mayor said, “The results of the trial are encouraging, but we need to check effects of the chemical on the water coming out of the STP, as this water gets into the Sutlej and it should not affect the aquatic animals.”

He added, “Both MC and PPCB have been directed to collect samples and a final decision on whether this chemical will be used to treat the wastewater or not will be taken after sample reports are received.”

MC superintending engineer (SE) Rajinder Singh said, “Till now, results of the samples are good and the black water, which earlier used to come out of the plant, has diluted. As directed by the mayor, samples are being collected.”

An MC official, requesting anonymity, said, “Due to the lockdown, industrial waste is not getting into the STP and the trial might give different results when the dyeing units restart operations. The industry is accused of dumping untreated waste into the MC sewer lines, which affects the working of the STP and is a major reason behind Buddha Nullah pollution.”