Worms swarm Periyar water
PTI | 05:09 PM,Sep 03,2010Aluva(Ker),Sep3 (PTI) Presence of large number of �worms� in the Periyar river near the famous Shiva temple at Manalpuram here has put authorities in a tizzy. The earthworm like reddish worm is 10 cm long and several hundreds were seen in the river and steps along the bathing ghat near the temple, one of the most famous Shiva temples in south India. Hundreds of people, who reached Manalpuram to perform last rites for their ancestors, were forced to choose other spots to have a dip in the river as part of the ritual. Health wing officials said the worms posed threat to the nearby Water Treatment plant, which distributed drinking water to Ernakulam District.About 250 mld (million litres per day) treated water is pumped from Aluva Water Works, to Greater Cochin area and suburban panchayats catering to lakhs of people. The pollution in Periyar will directly affect the people as water is taken from the river for treatment in Water Works. Aluva Municipality Health wing officials have inspected the area and river and municipal workers are engaged in the task of clearing the worms. Pollution Control Board personnel have taken samples of the water for tests.Chief Environment Scientist K Sundaram said such worms were seen in water where nutrient content and organic load were high.PCB could suggest remedial measures only after the test result was available, he said. The samples would be tested in PCB Central Laboratory in Ernakulam and the officials hoped to get the result by Friday. Scientists have identified the worm as 'Neries' which is a harmless aquatic worm mostly found in stagnant water having high content of nutrient.
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