Kerala's rivers are in peril. A study by the Kozhikode-based Centre for Water Resources Development & Management (CWRDM) has found that the increasing solid waste dumping and inflows of untreated sewage could soon sound a death knell for the 44 rivers in the state.

The CWRDM has been monitoring water quality and pollution levels in the rivers since 2009 and P.S. Harikumar, lead scientist on the study, warns that "pollution levels have been rising and if the current level of microbial contamination continues, the rivers could be reduced to mere pools of waste water".

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government has now initiated public campaigns to rescue the 41 west-flowing and three east-flowing rivers in the state. Biological indices for different water domains have been used to pinpoint the problem spots.

Relatively smaller than its counterparts elsewhere in the country, Kerala's rivers are faster flowing because of the state's topography. Thus far, scientists say, heavy monsoonal rains have saved the rivers by annually reviving the water quality. The study, however, warns that now, despite the monsoons, contamination is rising steadily thanks to the toxic combination of urbanisation and poor waste management.

Based on over 400 samples that Harikumar and his team collected for pre- and post-monsoon periods, the Periyar, Kerala's longest river course, and the Pamba, were found to be the most polluted. Scientists say sewage and solid waste generated in towns and cities along the banks are being directly discharged into the rivers.

State water resources minister Mathew T. Thomas claims the government is taking steps. Besides promoting water literacy as part of the Haritha Keralam (Green Kerala) Mission, he said a high-level coordination committee is looking into ways to minimise the pollution.

Green activists, though, contend that it's hardly enough. Latha Anantha, who's part of a campaign to protect the Chalakudy river, says governments only wake up to the problem of polluted rivers ahead of each monsoon. "Kerala has failed to assess the socioeconomic and environmental impact of the pollution of its rivers," says the activist. While Anantha decries the missing political will, everyone in Kerala has their fingers tightly crossed for a bountiful monsoon.