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After rains, foam rises again at polluted Bellandur lake

KSPCB to inspect STPs at aprtments around the water body
Last Updated 16 August 2017, 20:33 IST

Vehicles moving past the Bellandur lake on Wednesday evening had to drive through a chemical snowstorm as froth from the polluted lake rose up in volumes due to heavy rainfall.

Cars and two-wheeler riders were assailed by the thick froth, formed because of the industrial and household effluents flowing into the lake.

“Because of heavy rainfall, the foam started rising again. This morning it was really bad and the foam was flying out from above the mesh. It has subsided in the evening and the foam is flying only when there is a strong gust of wind,” said Ramesh R, a shop owner in the area. In the evening, the situation worsened as it started to rain heavily.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman Lakshman said that majority of the polluting industries have been closed already. “The frothing is caused by detergents in the household sewage from apartments. About 50% of the domestic sewage entering the lake is treated. The remaining apartments are releasing untreated waste and we have given them time to set up sewage treatment plants (STPs). Along with BWSSB, we will shortly begin inspection of existing STPs to see what technology they are using and if they are being operated properly,” he said.

Lakshman added that the licenses of industries which were not meeting effluent parameters were revoked and closed. “A few closed voluntarily. Vehicle service stations in the catchment area of the lake have been asked to give only dry wash. They are not releasing any treated or untreated effluents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pramila K S, who lives near the lake keeps her doors closed as she fears that the froth will fly in and her children will get rashes and skin problems. "I don’t allow my children to play outside. I am afraid to even drink the water we get here. Even though we have been complaining for two years, not much has changed," she said.

Sadiq, a shopkeeper in the area, has installed a separate fan to blow away the froth and keep it from entering his store.

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(Published 16 August 2017, 20:33 IST)

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