I N I T I A L S I T E R E P O R T
Palar River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India
Site Description
Human Exposure & Health Impact
Site Progress
Site Description 
Location & Size of Site
The Palar river basin falls in 3 administrative districts of Tamil Nadu: Vellore, Tiruvannamalai & Kancheepuram, and is one of the 17 river basins in this state. It covers an area of 18,300 sq. km, including 3123 sq. km in Karnataka & an area of 4267 sq. km in Andhra Pradesh. The Palar is a seasonal river and for the most part of the year it is dry.
Contaminant Type, Source & Quantity
Contaminants are mainly from tanneries & textile dyeing along with other industries like chemicals, soaps, & match industries. The quantity of raw material used by the industries is 560-700 tons per day. After processing, the wastewater generated is 17000-20000 cu. M/day. Types of pollutants include:
According to a study sponsored by the Asian Development Bank, pollution loads in the Palar river is extremely high: Total Suspended Solids: 29,938 kg/day, Total Dissolved Solids: 400,302 kg/day; Chloride: 101,434 kg/day, Sulfide: 3818 kg/day; BOD: 23,496 kg/day; COD: 70,990 kg/day: Total Chromium: 474 kg/day and Cyanide: 22 kg/day.
Number of Potentially Affected People
Unknown
Health Impact of Pollutant
Health assessment not undertaken
Site Progress
May 2005: Site visited by Blacksmith Institute. The Tamil Nadu State government is actively involved in trying to reduce flow of industrial wastewater into the River Palar by installing effluent treatment plants and upgrading existing CETP's. Sewage contamination seems to be a major problem here. No further action.
