GHANAULI, OCT 2 — Water quality testing conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) indicates severe biological contamination in the Sirsa River, with bacteria levels drastically exceeding safe environmental limits.
According to the official Surface Water Analysis Report for August 2026, tests conducted on samples retrieved near Ghanauli on August 11 registered total coliform at 1,30,000 MPN/100 ml and faecal coliform at 23,000 MPN/100 ml. These readings stand in stark contrast to the standard safety limit of 500 MPN/100 ml established for outdoor bathing and 50 MPN/100 ml for untreated drinking water.
Analysis carried out by PPCB’s Zonal Laboratory in Ludhiana classified the river’s water quality as Class D. The report noted a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of 5.4 mg/litre—exceeding the standard 3 mg/litre benchmark—alongside high turbidity at 182 NTU and total suspended solids measuring 284 mg/litre. Dissolved oxygen was recorded at 6.5 mg/litre, while Chemical Oxygen Demand stood at 36 mg/litre. Environmental observers noted that the August data reflects persisting contamination despite previously declared action plans to restore the river basin.
