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Restoring urban rivers using Kalki bio-culture

May 2022, by Ajitkumar Parab​

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Overview

In urban areas, rivers often face severe pollution due to the discharge of untreated sewage directly into their basins. This contamination poses significant threats to aquatic ecosystems, degrades surrounding soil quality, and pollutes the air. Additionally, polluted river water frequently enters agricultural systems, impacting the food we consume and creating a pressing need for innovative solutions to restore these waterways.

Sponsors
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Principal Sponsor

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Supporting Sponsor

Introducing Kalki: A Bio-Culture Solution

Recognizing the potential of Kalki, Persistent Foundation decided to partner with us on a pilot project to apply this solution to a highly polluted stretch of the Ramnadi river in Pune district, an area receiving only untreated sewage and thus ideal for testing Kalki’s effectiveness.

Implementing Kalki on the Ramnadi: A Pilot Project

The Ramnadi project took place between May 9 and May 24, 2022. During this period, we applied three doses of Kalki, totaling 20,700 liters, along a targeted stretch of the river. Monitoring was meticulous, with water, air, sludge, and soil samples taken and analyzed by an NABL-accredited lab. The findings were groundbreaking and demonstrated Kalki’s potential to drive lasting ecological improvement.

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Environmental Impact: Significant Reductions in Pollutants

The results of Kalki’s application were profound. Hazardous compounds like P-Benzene and Benzopyrene, both linked to blood cancer, dropped to below detectable levels after Kalki’s treatment. Air quality also showed marked improvement, with carbon monoxide levels decreasing from 0.32% to 0.12% and hydrogen sulfide from 1.33% to 0.38%. Additional reductions were observed in ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, underscoring Kalki’s broader environmental benefits.

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Enhancing Water Quality and Reducing Sludge

Water quality in the Ramnadi improved dramatically. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) dropped from 140 to 13, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased from 564.6 to 55.78. Suspended solids were reduced from 154 to 6, while dissolved oxygen levels rose from nearly 0% to 4.9%, supporting aquatic life. Notably, around 420 tons of sludge naturally decomposed without mechanical intervention, highlighting Kalki’s efficacy in sustainable sludge management.

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Expanding Kalki’s Reach: A Model for River Rejuvenation

This pilot project has not only revitalized a section of the Ramnadi but also provided a model for scalable, eco-friendly water treatment. Through the Kalki project, we hope to offer a sustainable approach to river restoration, benefiting both the environment and the communities that depend on these precious water resources.

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Audumbar Akshay

Sahayya Foundation

Tel: +91-99871-44955

Vengurla, MH, 416516

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