Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) is a rational number to characterise the quality of the environment at a given location following the algorithm of source, pathway and receptor.
An increase in CEPI score denotes adverse effects on the receiving environment.
A Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) did an assessment of Tamil Nadu’s CEPI scores.
Groundwater is becoming more polluted in Tamil Nadu’s industrial areas.
Vellore is the state’s most polluted district in terms of river pollution.
According to the CEPI water score 2018, five industrial clusters in Tamil Nadu were found to have a water score of more than 50.
Of these,
Vellore-North Arcot, Manali and Tirupur were ‘critically polluted areas’ - CEPI individual score of 60 and above.
Cuddalore and Coimbatore were ‘severely polluted areas’ - CEPI individual score between 50 and 60.
Most serious pollution threat to groundwater was from calcium, chloride and iron that are associated with sewage and pollution from tanneries.