In conjunction with IIT Madras, Stratus conducted an investigation to assess impact to soil and groundwater resulting from use of treated effluent from a textile dyeing facility to irrigate cropland. Rice grown in three adjacent paddies was irrigated with 100% groundwater, 100% treated effluent, or a mixture of groundwater and treated effluent.

 

The paddies were monitored to evaluate if the treated effluent adversely affected plant growth or crop yield. Stratus drilled a soil boring within the paddy where 100% treated effluent was used to irrigate. Soil samples collected from this boring were analyzed to evaluate if using the treated effluent for irrigation resulted in unacceptable amounts of metals or dye compounds in the soil.

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As part of this study, Stratus also collected samples at a separate facility where treated effluent from weaving and dyeing operations have already been utilized to irrigate nearby fields for several years. Samples of the treated effluent were collected at several locations in the water distribution system. A shallow soil boring was advanced to groundwater to assess if the sustained discharge of treated effluent to the farm fields had impacted groundwater quality.

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Stratus’ Hydrogeologic Report was included in IIT Madras’ report on the environmental effects of using treated effluent from textile facilities to irrigate farmland that was submitted to the Pollution Control Board.