NEWS – Bengaluru Lake Water Quality Report released by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lakes Studied: 110 lakes within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and panchayat limits.
• Key Finding: All lakes fall under D and E categories, indicating poor water quality.

Lake Categorization

• D Category:
  • Lakes: Ulsoor, Madiwala, Yediyur, Sankey, Varthur, Bellandur, Hebbal, Puttenahalli, Mahadevapura.
  • Purpose: Suitable for propagation of wildlife and fisheries.
• E Category:
  • Lakes: Yelemallapa Shetty, Kaikondanahalli, Singasandra, Rampura, Anjanapura, Kudlu, Basavanapura, Shettihalli, Seegehalli.
  • Purpose: Suitable for irrigation, industrial cooling, and controlled waste disposal.

Key Issues Identified

• Sewage Contamination: Majority of lakes are filled with untreated sewage water.
• Drainage and Outlet Management: Poor connectivity and unchecked outlets leading to high contamination levels.
• Inadequate Action: Despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) interventions, little improvement has been observed.

Lake Water Categorization System

• A Category: Drinking water source without conventional treatment, but after disinfection.
• B Category: Suitable for outdoor bathing.
• C Category: Drinking water source after conventional treatment and disinfection.
• D Category: Suitable for propagation of wildlife and fisheries.
• E Category: Suitable for irrigation, industrial cooling, and controlled waste disposal.
• Below E: Not meeting A, B, C, D, and E criteria.