The laboratory findings present a grim picture of the water chemistry, recording a highly alkaline pH of 9.12, which significantly exceeds the acceptable range of 6.5 to 8.5. Such extreme alkalinity is known to disturb aquatic life, compromise microorganisms, and exacerbate stress within wetland habitats. Furthermore, the analysis detected Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) at a staggering 7,950 mg/L, dwarfing the prescribed maximum limit of 2,100 mg/L. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) reached 36.4 mg/L, surpassing the permissible 30 mg/L threshold, while the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was reported at 114.8 mg/L. These metrics indicate a heavy concentration of salts, dissolved pollutants, and organic contamination that strips the water of oxygen essential for fish and other aquatic species.
B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation, emphasized that the site of the sample is not a routine storm-water channel but a conduit that feeds the flamingo wetland during low tide, raising urgent questions regarding the filtration standards and monitoring of civic sewage treatment plants. This latest data corroborates previous independent assessments of the DPS Flamingo Lake itself, which had already documented heavy organic loading, thick algae mats, surface froth, and oily traces consistent with sewage intrusion. Experts warn that the continuous inflow of urban wastewater renders the habitat unsuitable for the aquatic organisms that sustain migratory bird populations. Consequently, activists are now demanding an independent audit of the municipal sewage infrastructure to mitigate the significant ecological cost facing the wider creek ecosystem.
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