The economic survey of Maharashtra 2023-24 revealed that the stretch of the Mula-Mutha river near Mundhwa bridge contains 179.7mg of fecal coliform per litre, making it the second most polluted river in the state after Mumbai's Mithi river. This level far exceeds the safe limit of 100mg per litre, highlighting significant contamination due to untreated sewage. The survey also showed that the biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen levels in the river were 15.7mg/l and 4.2mg/l respectively, both falling short of safety standards, rendering the water unfit for aquatic life.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials noted that the high fecal coliform presence indicates severe pollution, with the river's capacity significantly diminished due to sewage influx. The chemical oxygen demand of the river stretch was recorded at 49.3mg/l, a hazardous level. Pune Municipal Corporation data showed that out of the 883 MLD of water produced daily, only 477 MLD is treated, with the remainder released untreated into the river. The corporation has proposed expanding sewage treatment plants (STPs) to treat an additional 396 MLD of water to address the issue.