The ESR, which will be tabled before the general body (GB) meeting, states: “The Mula, Mutha rivers stand in class IV category rivers, according to the central pollution control board. Human interference, water from nullahs and untreated sewage water are the main reasons for river pollution. Also, the residential waste water which flows from nullahs and small-scale industry waste water flowing in river is major cause for concern” states the ESR.

The oxygen in the water at Khadakwasla dam was found to be 5.98 mili gram/litre, which turns to zero when the water reaches the city. The water from the Mula and Mutha rivers can be used for agriculture and industrial processing. Water from Katraj and Pashan lakes fall in the class II category and can be used for drinking purposes, after purification, the report states.

Wastewater quality indicators, such as the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (the laboratory tests to determine the wastewater effect upon fish and aquatic plant life) in Mula and Mutha are also rising.

“The rising levels of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the air is an indicator of the declining air quality. The rising vehicular movement in the city is a major reason for the increasing SPM and RSPM,” states the ESR, adding that alarming rise of particulate matter (PM 10) is also cause for concern.

The survey conducted by the PMC has also revealed that sound levels in city are also on the rise. The maximum sound level was found at Mandai (109.86 decibels) while Khadakwasla recorded the lowest sound level (43. 08 decibles).

“General sound levels in the city were found much higher as were the levels during festivals like Diwali, Dahi-Handi, Ganesh festival and Navratri,” the report states.

The ESR has recommended that a 100-metre area around hospitals and educational institutes be declared a silent zone’ and the implementation of the concerned rule should be observed strictly. The ESR has also appealed to citizens to establish pressure groups to put pressure on the implementing agencies to curb rising sound pollution.