White froth found in Periyar: PCB issues notice to FACT

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has sought an explanation from Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), Udyogmandal, regarding the suspected industrial discharge into the Periyar.

A notice was issued by the Environment Surveillance Centre of the Board at Eloor under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, asking why action should not be taken for violation of norms. PCB officials said the notice was issued based on earlier inferences of suspected discharge of a white gel-like foam into the river. A continuous suspected discharge was observed from near the barge last year, though it appeared lean, they said.

The action came after the river water near the Edayar industrial area turned white and developed a layer of frothy foam on Tuesday (September 1, 2026). The Board had collected water samples to determine whether the incident was caused by illegal waste discharge, though the initial results remained inconclusive.

The analysis of the presence of oil and grease in the samples collected from four affected spots showed that the levels varied from 4.8 mg/l to 6.5 mg/l. There was an increase of around 2 mg/l of oil and grease compared to the samples tested around four months ago. Officials said further tests were required to confirm the source.

FACT officials said the Board had informed them about the presence of a white foam-like layer detected in the peak of summer in the March-April period. “An old leachate deposit close to the river, which was not confined to our unit alone, may have caused the discharge, and we have initiated remedial measures as prescribed by the Board,” they said while rejecting doubts whether the white froth detected on the river stretch on Tuesday was following a discharge from the unit.