Fly ash flows into Kanhan river; water treatment affected

 

 

 

Water in Kanhan river turned muddy due to suspected ingress of fly ash from the nearby thermal power plants. The water treatment plant (WTP) at Kanhan was shutdown by Orange City Water (OCW) as the ash content had turned the water muddy. The water supply to several areas of East Nagpur and parts of North Nagpur was thus affected due to closure of WTP at Kanhan.

The ash bunds of Khaparkheda might have breached due to heavy rains resulting in flow of fly ash in the river water. Previously also fly ash from Khaparkheda polluted the Kanhan river. Since morning of July 9, the heavy rains in catchment area of Kanhan and its tributaries caused flood-like situation at intake well.

To tackle the situation, OCW pressed divers who worked to clean the strainers. The task, however, is very tedious and it’s very difficult to clear the small pores through which water is lifted to WTP. On Sunday, the situation turned worse as early morning inspection revealed substantial presence of fly ash in the waters. As a matter of precaution intake well pumps at the dry well no.1 & 2 located on the right rank of the Kanhan river were shutdown. The treated water pumping was stopped and all process water from the multi flow units and all TGV filters were flushed out as a matter of abundant precautions.