India
720 Illegal Sewage Outlets Discovered in Four Kerala Districts
Inspections led by the Department of Local Self‑Government between February and August 2026 uncovered around 720 illegal outlets that were discharging untreated sewage into natural streams and water bodies in Ernakulam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kottayam. The sewage was released through 39 public drains that feed various water bodies. Ernakulam had the highest number of illegal outlets – 671 – from households and commercial establishments, followed by Kollam and Kottayam with 18 each, and Alappuzha with 16, according to a report submitted to the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal in August 2026. The outlets have been shut down and violators served notices under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Act, 2024. Senior officials said the inspections were carried out by special squads of officials from local bodies, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Suchitwa Mission and other enforcement agencies. They informed the tribunal that the outlets were closed and legal action has begun. Section 337 of the Kerala Municipality (Amendment) Act, 2024, prohibits discharging wastewater or sewage from any premises into public drains, roads, streets or water bodies. The report noted that the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation imposed a total penalty of about ₹1.09 crore for various violations related to untreated sewage discharge. More than 4,300 notices were issued during the enforcement drive. The Kollam Corporation imposed a total penalty of ₹11.7 lakh, Alappuzha municipality collected about ₹8.8 lakh, Kottayam municipality imposed ₹2.1 lakh, and the Kochi Corporation collected 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 lacking adequate remedial measures, including sewage treatment plants, to prevent untreated sewage discharge into water bodies.