HYDERABAD: Continuing its efforts to improve water quality in Hussainsagar lake and to improve conditions for aquatic life by increasing dissolved oxygen level in the water body, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has procured Barge-mounted Aerator System (BMAS) from the United States. The equipment will also help to check foul smell emanating from algal weeds and water hyacinth. The lake is covered with water weeds, which has led to depletion of oxygen level in the lake, turning it into a deathtrap for aquatic life.
According to authorities, BMAS will help to improve the water quality of the lake as it will increase the dissolved oxygen level and reduce concentration of biochemical oxygen and chemical oxygen. The system will check algal growth by removing nutrients like nitrogen, ammonia and soluble phosphate and decreasing bacterial population. The BMAS is a floating equipment, which can be taken to any corner of the lake. It will aerate the lake water and increase the dissolved oxygen level. The HMDA is also trying to destroy the blue green algae, which is spreading offensive odour and causing deterioration of water quality.
The equipment has been procured at a cost of Rs 3 crore and the monthly operational cost, including diesel charges, is Rs 2.7 lakh. The BMAS is self-powered with onboard diesel generator (DG) sets and has six aerators of 10 HP capacity. It is mounted on a barge with propeller to move around the lake. HMDA officials told Express that there are four nalas that bring diluted sewage into the lake during rainy season. The system will be used to improve dissolved oxygen levels at nala mouths and to reduce blue green algae odour problem in summer months. The BAMS would also help in controlling biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels. The officials said that there is a need for frequent water aeration in the lake that suffers from anoxic conditions due to low oxygen concentration, usually caused by sewage and industrial waste discharge. The non circulating bottom zone of the lake is characterised by oxygen depletion.