Nearly 19 lakh litres of effluent had accumulated at a check dam across the Siru Aaru stream near SPAC Starch and SPAC Ethanol units at Poonaachi village in Erode district, a field inspection by officials has found.
According to a press release issued by Collector S. Kandasamy, the inspection on October 9 found that effluent discharged daily from the SPAC bioethanol plant had accumulated in the stream. A considerable quantity of untreated domestic wastewater from the staff quarters of the industrial units had also entered the watercourse.
Water samples were collected from six locations along the stream, from Odaimedu to the stretch behind Nathamedu Government Middle School, for analysis. The effluent accumulated at the check dam had a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of 560 parts per million (ppm).
Demand for action
The inspection followed a protest by parents and residents on October 5, demanding action against the units over alleged pollution and frequent health problems among schoolchildren. They also sought zero liquid discharge systems to prevent effluent from entering the stream.
Following a meeting with residents on October 7, the Collector directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to prevent effluent discharge and ensure the installation of zero liquid discharge systems. CCTV cameras and online TDS meters were also to be installed at the entry and exit points of the stream through the SPAC Ethanol premises for continuous monitoring.
Between October 7 and 9, 18 tankers, each with a capacity of 6,000 litres, transported effluent to a treatment facility at Panickampalayam in Perundurai.
The company was constructing a 100-KLD domestic wastewater treatment plant, expected to be operational within two weeks, the release said. A water purification unit was installed at the school on October 9, while steps were being taken to remove the accumulated effluent from the check dam.
Published - October 13, 2026 03:56 pm IST