Petrochemical, fertiliser and chemical industries near the north-west outskirts of the city discharge their effluents into the pucca channel running from Nadesari to Gulf of Cambay, about 55 km of the effluent channel project (ECP), for eventual disposal into the Arabian Sea.

However, these effluents are being lifted by farmers along the stretch of the effluent channel project channel for irrigational purposes. But the discharged industrial effluents not having undergone advanced treatment, their pollutants are feared to affect the biological and chemical property of the soil when used for irrigation and hazardous chemicals are likely to enter the human food chain, according to theCentral Pollution Control Board.

The seminar aims to concentrate on the issues related to irrigable water quality of treated effluents and exploring the possibilities for the prescription of irrigation-based standards.

The seminar will be inaugurated on Thursday at Hotel Surya Palace, Sayajigunj at 9.30 am.