Examining Water Pollution Causes in Tiruppur District: Balancing Industrial Growth with Environmental Concerns

Abstract

The expansion of the industrial sector has been a double-edged sword, fostering economic development while concurrently leading to environmental degradation. Despite the significant contribution of the textile and apparel industry to the nation's gross domestic product and exports, it cannot escape the environmental costs it incurs. Notably, the dyeing process within this industry results in the release of pollutants such as metals, salts, and dyes into wastewater, with a considerable portion of salts ending up in effluents. This discharge of untreated wastewater contributes to water pollution, predominantly through the introduction of organic pollutants like colorants and heavy metal ions. In light of these concerns, a study was undertaken to explore the root causes of water pollution in Tiruppur district. Through this investigation, key factors emerged, including the dumping and mingling of industrial waste in water bodies, the underground pumping of industrial waste via borewells, the mixing of domestic waste into water bodies, the discharge of industrial waste onto farmland, and the introduction of dyeing industrial waste into water bodies with inadequate treatment or left untreated. These identified factors serve as primary contributors to both water and soil pollution in the region, highlighting the pressing need for sustainable industrial practices that balance economic growth with environmental preservation.