BWSSB admits water at TG Halli is highly polluted

But maintains it is treated before being supplied to City

Despite forming various committees including the one headed by Dr Rajendra Singh, water conservationist from Rajasthan, the rejuvenation of TG Halli reservoir and surrounding areas is being carried out at a slow pace due to apathy of government officials.

One of the reasons why large scale pollution has not been addressed so far is due to lack of co-ordination among the government agencies. Cauvery Niravari Nigama has been appointed to check the pollution on the river course, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has been asked to check on the encroachments and possible obstruction of the river course, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to collect samples and check pollutions levels, Revenue department to conduct survey on the river course and TG Halli reservoir and BWSSB to make sure water is tested and supplied to the consumers.

Recently MLA Narendra Babu of Mahalakshmi Layout constituency who visited Kallathorai and other places surrounding TG Halli expressed his concern about the river course.
“Sewage and industrial effluents are discharged directly into water at Kallathorai. I got the water tested and the results have shown that the water is highly contaminated. There is a need to urgently address this issue before it is too late,” said Narendra Babu.

He added that the buffer zone for TG Halli reservoir, which was five kilometre a few years ago, has now been reduced to one kilometre radius.

With the report on contaminated water going public, Minister S Suresh Kumar called on BWSSB officials to address the matter immediately. Again another high-level committee was formed to conduct spot inspections and collect samples for testing.

BWSSB officials agreed that the river course and raw water of TG Halli is polluted.
“There are many reasons for pollution en route TG Halli reservoir. It is a known fact that the raw water has high level of pollutants. However, water supplied to consumers are treated at our treatment plant and water is tested everyday before supply. There is no question of contaminated water being supplied to consumers,” officials maintained.