TDS 221, Kali Bein water fit for drinking

Jalandhar, July 17

Twenty-two years after a choked, water hyacinth-ridden and almost dried up Doaba drain saw the beginning of kar sewa by a then little-known saint — Balbir Singh Seechewal — the streaming black waters of the Kali Bein have seen a complete turnaround, so much so that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, flanked by Seechewal, today filled a glass with water from the Kali Bein and drank it.

Dying fish still raises concern

• The release of toxins and sewage waste into the rivulet continues to hit the aquatic life in the Kali Bein. A large number of fish died in the Bein in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021 and now in 2022
• The constant dumping of waste into the Bein from Kapurthala and Bhalane Dian Colonian has been the repeated cause of contamination in the Bein
• The unchecked growth of residential and other complexes near the catchment areas too poses a threat to the aquatic life in the river

The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) value of the water is 221 ppm (any value between 150 and 250 is considered “good” for drinking). The river flowing in the midst of the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi is a source of inspiration for scores of people around the world.

However, with the brand new boost to ecological debates in the state (triggered by the recent fight for an industry-free Mattewara forest and farmers’ focus on state waters) the need for the further revival of Bein has been raised again — as was also underscored on the 22 anniversary of its kar sewa today. On the occasion, Seechewal said the efforts to make Bein chitte (white) would continue.

Silver lining: dissolved solids down

The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) value of anything between 50 and 100 is considered excellent for drinking water; 150 to 250 is good, 250 to 300 is fair, 300 to 500 is poor and 1,200 is unacceptable.