BWSSB blamed for polluted water entering Kolar lake

A day after Bengaluru’s frothing polluted water was pumped into the Lakshmisagara Lake in Kolar through the KC Valley, officials in the minor irrigation department blamed their counterparts in BWSSB for the blunder.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s actions threatened the very purpose of the Rs 1,342-crore project.

As Bengaluru’s infamous froth entered the lake in Kolar district a few days ago, minor irrigation department officials said using an abandoned sewage treatment plant (STP) in Bellandur was the reason for the mess.

Krishnappa, AEE, minor irrigation department, Kolar, said BWSSB used the STP that was abandoned two years ago. “According to the MoU, the KC Valley project should pump about 310 MLD of water to the lakes in Kolar but only 120 MLD was being pumped so far using three sewage plants,” he said.

“In an attempt to increase the amount of water, BWSSB diverted water from one more plant to raise the levels to 200 MLD. The STP that was already damaged, broke down. Hence, polluted water flowed into the Lakshmisagara Lake,” he said.

He also said that officials of the minor irrigation department and BWSSB conducted a spot survey on Wednesday and came up with a detailed report about the cause. “We have submitted a detailed report about the cause to higher officials. Although we have stopped pumping water into the lake, the foam might continue for three to four more days,” he added.

The officials, however, sought to reassure the locals that there was no need to worry about the situation as the lake water was not going to cause any harm to them.

“The BWSSB also tested the lake water yesterday and came up with the results that manifested that the chemical content is under permissible limits. No harm will be caused to animals or birds if they consume the lake water,” Krishnappa said.

He said the water will be pumped to the lake in a month after fixing all the issues. “The Rs 1,342-crore project will be completed in another six months,” he added.

BWSSB, for its part, attributed the problem to the heavy rain that lashed the region over the last few days.

“Due to heavy rain, treated water along with lake water may have entered the jack valve which may be the reason for the foam in the water. The Board has asked the minor irrigation department to construct a retaining wall to stop the flow,” the Board said in a statement.