BANGALORE: “In the next ten years, we may have to face a lot of problems due to severe scarcity of drinking water. Many citizens are still ignorant of the value of water,” bemoaned Managing Director of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWS & DB) N C Muniyappa.
He was speaking at a workshop on ‘Rain Water Harvesting with Special Reference to Urban Areas’ held on occasion of World Water Day 2012, at Dayanand Sagar College on Thursday.
Calling upon the civic bodies to take adequate steps to prevent water leakages, Muniyappa said,”The greatest challenge before the State the is to take measures to conserve and recharge ground water and supply safe drinking water to all. In many parts of Karnataka, ground water is available only after digging 1000 to 1200 feet below the ground.”
Picking a famous quote, “If the next war has to be fought, it will be for water”, Muniyappa urged the students to carry the message on how to save water, implement and to adopt it.
Regional Director of Central Ground Water Board Dr K M Najeeb said, “About 53 per cent of sewage generated is directly released to storm water drains. Water is polluted due to various reasons like industrial pollution, microbial contamination etc. Wastes should be disposed scientifically, and sewage should not be allowed to released into natural streams and water bodies.”
Najeeb added that Nitrate levels in ground water are above permissible limits in some parts of Bangalore.
Souvenir Release
On the occasion, a souvenir of technical papers presented were released. Various models of RWH were kept on display. BWSSB Engineer-in-chief T Venkatraju and Chief Engineer of KUWS & DB B G Dayananda Murthy were among those present on the occasion.