City News

Need to recharge ground water in Bangalore, water pollution is also concern

High level of water pollution and less area for water percolation is not favourable as to draw water from ground says a study carried by A.K Farooqui senior scientist at Central Water Board Commission, New Delhi

L.Raghunanda
4th Estate
Bangalore

Farooqui who carried this taking help of BWSSB from 1996 till 2009 has given detail account to BWSSB, about what need to be taken in consideration as to restore and rejuvenate ground water in the city, with city needing to address shortage of water issue.

Farooqui in his study titled “Municipal waste disposal practices and their impact on ground water in Bangalore Metropolitan region” says “due to faulty disposal of municipal waste, non scientific nature of collection of this municipal waste, the ground water in the study area is getting polluted.

“What is the most concern is of highest concentration of nitrate with their content in ground water being at 554 mg/l, and it is known high concentration of nitrate being threat to human health causing Methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome, so good municipal waste collection and disposal management factor need to be taken by BBMP.

“However very-high pollution vulnerability category areas is seen in eastern half of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region and Low pollution vulnerability areas are predominant in western and southern parts of Bangalore Metropolitan Region.

“The most striking aspect of the study of ground water also gives a note that even over exploitation of ground water beyond the excessible permit is worrying, it has to be seen how to recharge the ground water table.

This study was carried using Geographic Information System(GIS) ,and after which only Pollution Vulnerability Map and Zones were brought out for water body in the central, state government and public to see, and take future course of action.

However in making study Correlation Matrix factors different weightages, implying correctness of the data used and procedure followed, were carefully considered.

Though city receive 900 mm annual rainfall, rainfall pattern varies from a high of over 180 mm in October to less than 10mm in January, the heavy dependence of ground water, also having already drawn the water beyond the permissible limit, through dug well and bore wells.

On the other hand at lesser rate at which the ground water is recharging, is not positive sign for resident of the city, so what is the way out to recharge has to be looked out, with concrete on the ground, high rise building, with major part of the ground being occupied with this, where is the space for water to percolate to lower level ground water table, to recharge?

Farooqui though he has laid out few of workable solutions, and action plan is ready, to be submitted to BWSSB, this is what he has to say about the course of action water administration, supply distribution and policy making and management body in the state has to take into consideration.

And this are listed under 11 points

1. Water quality monitoring network should be strengthened and the data should be made available on the website. Important “factors” for quality may be derived to opt for preventive measures.

2. Recycling of sewage water should be encouraged for using non-domestic purposes and the slur can be used as manure.

3. The Land-fills and dumping sites should not be located in high vulnerability areas.

4. In the name of developmental activity, no water bodies should be utilized for any other purpose.

5. It is suggested to identify the small and tiny water bodies on 1:25,000 scale maps and these small and tiny water bodies should be utilized for artificial recharge to ground water system.

6. The existing dry dug wells and bore wells may also be used for diluting the Nitrate pollution.

7. The sewage should be collected and treated properly before letting it out into the drainage system, as it is going to pollute the less vulnerable areas to a maximum extent.

8. Leakage through sewer pipes should be controlled effectively. The quality of well waters in use should be checked periodically for chemical as well as bacteriological parameters.

9. Building byelaws should be suitably modified to include roof top rainwater harvesting in the house plan and it should be made mandatory to use tertiary treated water for non-potable purposes.

10. Attempts should be made to stop dug wells being used as dust bins to control pollution through this mode. Certain lakes should be utilized for rainwater harvesting and to recharge ground water system only.

11. Preventing pollution in urban areas is a public relations task also and hence, there is a need to educate people about proper waste disposal practices. Mass awareness programmes involving NGO groups and through print and electronic media will be very effective to get the message across.