Pune: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued a notice to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for releasing untreated sewage directly into the Mula and Mutha rivers, resulting in water pollution and fish deaths.

During a joint inspection of the Naidu Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the surrounding river areas, MPCB and PMC officials found dead fish along the riverbanks and noted stagnant water at sites under the river improvement project.

According to the MPCB notice, sewage from three drains near the Naidu STP is flowing untreated into the river. The untreated sewage, characterized by its black color, foul odor, and pH levels of 6 to 7, has been cited as the cause of fish mortality.

The notice highlights that PMC discharges approximately 90 MLD of untreated sewage daily into the rivers. While the old Naidu STP has been demolished, the new facility is still under construction and lacks alternative power arrangements. Additionally, several STPs across the city, with a combined capacity of 567 MLD, are operating without MPCB approval. The approval for these STPs expired on December 31, 2023.

The MPCB has demanded a compliance report within 15 days and instructed PMC to submit a long-term plan to achieve 100% sewage treatment. Failure to comply with the notice will result in legal action.

Meanwhile, PMC’s Acting Chief Engineer, Electrical Department, Manisha Shekatkar, stated that the city lacks adequate STP capacity, and the new Naidu STP is not fully operational. She also mentioned that PMC is in the process of obtaining MPCB approval for its STPs.

Interestingly, the MPCB notice also references the Indrayani and Ulhas rivers alongside the Mula and Mutha rivers. While the former two rivers do not flow through Pune, officials have not clarified whether this was an error or had some specific context.