Agara Lake susceptible to frothing, says pollution control board

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has warned that the frothing will start in Agara Lake too if the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) fails to take precautionary measures.

A KSPCB official, on condition of anonymity told Deccan Herald, that this was possible because Agara, Bellandur and Varthur lakes are inter-connected. Frothing and fire occurred at Varthur Lake and frothing is now happening at Bellandur Lake, Agara could be next.

In a meeting held on Monday in the City, the KSPCB and the BWSSB officials discussed about the frothing and the ways to curb it. It was also pointed out in the meeting that frothing was happening continuously at Bellandur Lake. When the BWSSB workers were spraying anti-foaming agents into the lake, frothing was curtailed, for time being though, and the moment it was discontinued, foaming started.

The officials have set October first week as the deadline to find a solution for frothing, that should hold good for at least next two to three years. The BWSSB needs at least two years to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) of 150 MLD capacity, which would serve as permanent measure to curb the frothing menace.

Dredging is another solution - where all the water and silt will be removed.  “But, the dredging would  render the lake dry. Desilting has not been taken up at Bellandur Lake and this is a major worry now,”  the official said. Foaming is happening because of the presence of surfactants like soap solutions, shampoos.