JAIPUR: The immersion of idols, be they of Ganpati, goddess Durga or Saraswati and taziyas in water bodies are contributing to water pollution in the state. A report by Rajasthan Pollution Control Board ( RPCB ), exclusively shared with TOI, says that during the immersion period the pH level along with dissolved solids and rate of copper becomes higher than the permissible limits. During the same period, the noise pollution levels, especially during Ganpati, Durga and taziyas processions, touch decibel sounds higher than the permissible limits.The report is a comparative analysis of water bodies based on a chemical test conducted pre-post and during the immersion of idols and taziyas. The report is not tabled yet. The rate of dissolved oxygen during the day of immersion of Ganesh idol and goddess Durga idol immersion touched 0.6 mg/i respectively. The neutral rate of dissolved oxygen is 3 mg/i.The dissolved oxygen is very important for aquatic living beings. The higher side of the value is conducive but the lower side is very harmful. “The difference in the values is due to the location of the measurement point," said Rajasthan Pollution Control Board (RPCB). The dissolved oxygen enters water through plants and air and when the layer of any water body has polluted elements surfaced it restricts the entry of oxygen.The next parameter which defines the acidic and alkaline of water pH level was recorded almost similar on the day of immersion. During Durga visarjan (September 9) the pH was 7.85 and during Ganpati visarjan it was 7.98. The neutral value of pH is 7. The high rate of TDS which means a high rate of minerals salts and metals dissolved in a given volume of water is troublesome for aquatic lives. Most of the taziyas in Jaipur are buried is a reason that RPCB has no record of water pollution during Muharram.Water pollution due to immersion can be reduced if the guidelines issued by RPCB are followed. They say that idols should be made from natural materials. “Use of traditional clay for idol making rather than baked clay, plaster of Paris should be encouraged. “Paintings of idols should be discouraged and in cases where they are painted, water-soluble and non-toxic colours should be used. Besides, use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should be prohibited,” said RPCB official. The guidelines also say that worship material like flowers, vastra, decorating material made of paper and plastic should be removed before immersion of idols.