Kolar villagers raise red flag over quality of treated water

BENGALURU: Villagers from Kolar district have raised concerns over the quality of treated sewage water that is being pumped from Bengaluru to their lakes under the KC Valley Project. They are now alleging that water in the Lakshmisagara tank in Kolar taluk, which is the first one to receive the treated water, has turned dark and is emanating foul smell.
Officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have collected water samples for testing.
R Murugesh, a resident of Lakshmisagara village, said they first noticed the change in water colour five days ago.
"The stench of chemicals still hangs in the air near the waterbody. Initially, there was also some frothing. A similar incident had happened about three months ago. We seriously doubt the efficiency of the treatment plants," he added.
R Anjaneya Reddy, president of Shashvatha Neeravari Horata Samiti, which has been opposing the way the project has been executed, said the entire initiative needs a proper scientific evaluation.
"Why should the government wait for the farmers to alert them whenever there is a problem? Why isn't there any quality monitoring at source? Agencies involved in the project like the minor irrigation department, BWSSB and KSPCB have to be made accountable," he said.
CR Manjunath, Kolar district environmental officer, KSPCB, said they have collected samples at multiple points and the results from the central laboratory in Bengaluru are awaited. "We have also told the BWSSB, which maintains the sewage treatment plants, to ensure that the quality of the treated water is maintained well," he added.
M Krishnappa, AEE, minor irrigation department, attributed the froth to the heavy inflow of water. "Heavy inflow is causing froth," he said. Another engineer from the minor irrigation department raised doubts over the dark water episode itself. "This could be miscreants' act to divert court's attention as the case hearing date is nearing. We are supplying treated water to 42 tanks and farmers are happy. In fact, there is a demand from more villagers for the treated water," he added.
On Tuesday, Kolar deputy commissioner J Manjunath conducted a spot inspection and assured villagers that the district administration is keeping a tab on the quality of water. The high court is hearing a case pertaining to the KC Valley Project and has scheduled the next hearing on December 16.
(With inputs from Ranganath K)