More than 720 illegal shops found discharging untreated sewage into water bodies in four districts of Kerala

image file to represent | Photo credit: G. Moorthy

Inspections by several enforcement agencies led by the local government department found that untreated sewage was being discharged into natural streams and water bodies through more than 720 illegal outlets in four districts of Kerala – Ernakulam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam.

Untreated wastewater was discharged into natural streams and bodies of water through 39 public sewers leading to various bodies of water. Ernakulam had the highest number of such illegal discharges – 671 – from households and commercial establishments discharging untreated sewage into the sewers, followed by Kollam and Kottayam (18 each) and Alappuzhou (16), according to a report on the status of solid and liquid waste management in Kerala submitted by the local government department before the National Green Tribunal on August 26.

These illegal shops were shut down and violators were served notices under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Kerala Municipalities (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Senior officials of the local government department said the inspections were jointly carried out by special squads comprising officials of various local bodies, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Mission Suchitwa and other law enforcement agencies. “We have also informed the tribunal that the outlets have been closed and required legal action has been initiated against the violators,” they said.

Under Section 337 of the Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Act, 2024, discharge of sewage or sewage from any premises into public drains, roads, streets or water bodies is prohibited.

The report said that the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has imposed a total fine of around ₹1.09 crore for various violations related to discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies. More than 4,300 notices were issued as part of the enforcement drive. The Kollam Corporation imposed a total fine of ₹ 11.7 lakh, while the Alappuzha municipality collected a fine of about ₹ 8.8 lakh. The Kottayam municipality imposed a total fine of ₹2.1 million on the offenders. The Kochi Corporation collected a total fine of about ₹69.8 crore.

Officials of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board in Ernakulam said inspections revealed that the illegal outlets were mostly found in commercial and residential units that lacked adequate remedial measures, including sewage treatment plants, to prevent discharge of untreated sewage into water bodies.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 13:37 IST