If one goes by the claims of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), there is a drastic improvement in the water quality in Hussainsagar compared to what it was five years ago.
The reported improvement in water quality could be possible due to the ongoing Hussainsagar Lake and Catchment area Improvement Project (HCIP) taken up at a cost of Rs 370 crore with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan of Rs 310 crore and remaining from the State Government funds.
The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Nitrates and Total Phosphates (TP) level have been drastically reduced since 2008, HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner Neerabh Kumar Prasad told Express.
This could be possible as 50 million litres of treated clean water is being released into the lake every day. The water is treated at 30 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Picket Nala and 20 MLD STP at Balkapur nala. In another development, 569 million litres per day of polluted water from entering Hussainsagar has been stopped as Interception and Diversion (I&D) structures have been connected to the sewer line around the lake. These include Picket nala (186 MLD), Balkapur nala (74 MLD), Fathenagar (165 MLD), Prakashnagar (44 MLD) and Necklace Road (100 MLD).
Over the years, Hussainsagar lake has gotten polluted through the entry of untreated sewage and industrial effluent through the nalas that flow into the lake. Other sources of pollution included cattle, vehicle washing, dumping of domestic solid waste along the shore line as well as the immersion of large numbers of idols made up of plaster of Paris, garlands and more during festivals. Due to the resulting eutrophication, algal blooms and bad odour, the water body is not suitable for recreation and pisci-culture purposes.
Under HCIP project, HMDA is taking steps to improve the lake water quality by preventing pollutants entering into the lake both point and non-point sources of pollution, I&D of dry weather flows, improvement of nalas, improve the overall lake environment and its surroundings for enriched biodiversity.
Presently, dredging and disposal of sediments is being taken up alongwith installation of seven high jet fountains (aeration equipment), shoreline improvement by way of landscaping on the shore area of Hussainsagar.
However it remains to be seen how long it will remain clean with the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in the city.