BENGALURU: It’s just not Bellandur and Varthur lakes in Bengaluru that are contaminated. The Water Quality Index test for 71 out of 77 lakes across the state showed that the results were unsatisfactory. The tests were conducted by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, KSPCB conducts water quality tests in lakes and tanks across the state once in three months.
The latest WQI results for the tests done in February/March say that only six of the 77 lakes tested across the state have passed the quality test. These include two lakes in Raichur, two in Davanagere and one each in Vijayapura and Mangaluru. Interestingly, of the 77 lakes, 38 are in Bengaluru and none of them make the cut.
“The CPCB is the apex body in water quality management system. As per their guidelines, we take samples from lakes and test them for presence of coliforms, pH (potential of hydrogen), biochemical oxygen and other chemicals.
Based on this, we categorise them as A, B, C, D and E grades with A category lakes/tanks having water good enough to drink without treatment and E category being the worst—highly polluted and not advisable for any other use,’’ a KSPCB official said.
Once the report is ready, the authorities responsible for the lake/tank — BBMP, BDA or BWSSB in Bengaluru or respective Deputy Commissioners outside Bengaluru— are issued notice asking them to keep the water body in a good state, the official explained.
Environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy pointed out that all kinds of waste —medical, e-waste, sewage —are let into the water bodies. These waste materials contain deadly chemicals that are not safe for humans or animals. There is no proper monitoring mechanism and the different agencies just pass the buck, he rued.
400 lakes with potable water to none now
Historian Arun Prasad of Discover Bengaluru said there were over 400 manmade lakes in Bengaluru during the time of the British which dwindled to 262 in the 1960s. By 1985, only 51 water bodies were left. As of today, there are only 17 lakes in the city.
Satisfactory six
Hullige tank and Hundikere lake in Raichur Pilikula lake in Mangaluru Vimanabhuthikere and Kunduvadakere in Davanagere Bhutanala lake in Vijayapura