• S. Santhosh
• Parvathy Mohan

Achankovil river is one of the famous rivers in Kerala that is influenced qualitatively by the famous Sabarimala pilgrimage. The present study focuses to analyze microbial contamination in 8 selected stations along the river basin. Total plate count and E.coli is analysed monthly for a period of one year during 2017-18. Monthly analysis shows that TPC load is ubiquitous all along the river and monsoon enhances it considerably. Faecal contamination by virtue of the presence of E.coli, the pathogenic coliform, is prevalent although the study period. Values as high as 16x104cfu/ml TPC was recorded at Konni station during South West Monsoon of 2018. In annual assessment the highest E.coli count was found during October 2017. It shows the occurrence of maximum E.coli count during post monsoon season which depicts the human intervention in water quality during Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The study shows that Achankovil River water is highly contaminated. Also, prevalence of E.coli during other seasons indicates continuous entry of toilet wastes to the river. Breach of sanitary integrity is one important aspect that influences bacterial contamination of river water and hence it is high time to take preventive measures to safeguard the bacteriological quality of the precious water resource. Along with preventive measures, continuous awareness programmes must be devised for protection of the river.

Achankovil, Total Plate Count, E.coli, river basin

"A study on the microbiological pollution of Achankovil river basin during 2018 ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.654-661, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905I96.pdf

"A study on the microbiological pollution of Achankovil river basin during 2018 ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp654-661, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905I96.pdf