Over 720 illegal outlets found discharging untreated sewage into waterbodies in four Keralam districts

Inspections carried out by multiple enforcement agencies led by the Department of Local Self-Government found that untreated sewage was being dumped into natural streams and water bodies through over 720 illegal outlets in four districts of Keralam — Ernakulam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam.

The untreated sewage was discharged into natural streams and water bodies through 39 public drains leading to various water bodies. Ernakulam had the highest number of such illegal outlets – 671 – from households and commercial establishments discharging untreated sewage into the drains, followed by Kollam and Kottayam (18 each) and Alappuzha (16), according to a report on the status of solid and liquid waste management in Kerala submitted by the Department of Local Self-Government before the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal in August 2026.

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

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

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

The report said the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation had imposed a total penalty of about ₹1.09 crore for various violations related to the 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 penalty of ₹11.7 lakh, while the Alappuzha municipality collected a penalty of about ₹8.8 lakh. The Kottayam municipality imposed a total penalty of ₹2.1 lakh on violators. The Kochi Corporation collected a total fine of about ₹69.8 lakh.

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