While alarm bells are ready to go off regarding water shortage, millions of litres of treated water literally go down the drain.
Earlier this week, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSCPB) asked Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to furnish the amount of tertiary water generated and its use in the city.
In the past, faced with successive droughts, government orders (issued in 2003 and 2008 on recommendations of KSPCB) mandated the use of treated water “for non-potable purposes, like all gardening in parks, resorts and golf courses; washing, servicing and cleaning of vehicles and all civil construction activities”.
However, barely four per cent of the treated water is used currently, with the remaining either being let off into polluted lakes or streams.
“While giving environment clearances to construction companies in the vicinity of these plants, we can mandate that they use only treated water. This way, we can monitor and penalise those who are using groundwater for construction,” said Ramachandra, Chairperson, KSPCB.
Water quality Numerous builders have petitioned KSPCB against the use of tertiary water, claiming the high levels of sodium, potassium, nitrates and heavy metals in treated water affect setting of concrete.
“Many builders tried to use it, but stopped almost immediately as construction workers refuse to touch the water,” said R. Nagaraj, president of the builder’s body CREDAI.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, KSPCB directed BWSSB to improve the standards of the water produced.
BWSSB Chairperson T.M. Vijay Bhaskar said much of their plants are idling due to lack of demand. “We have sent requests to builders, Public Works Department, BMRCL to use this water,” he said. He added that water produced is being tested frequently and no problem had been found.
Similarly, the BBMP is being asked to use this water for watering parks, playgrounds and cleaning public places.
Mr. Vijay Bhaskar said, “The issue is transportation of water from the plant to the area of use. A piping network is unavailable. Further discussions with stakeholders will be held.”
We will make it mandatory for construction companies to use treated water. If these companies cannot produce documents of purchase from BWSSB, then they can be booked for violations. We can save millions of litres daily |
— Ramachandra, Chairperson, KSPCB
We tried using treated water, but the quality is bad. It is greenish, putrid and has high nitrate content. They should make it mandatory for us to use only if quality is improved to international standards. |
— R. Nagaraj, president, CREDAI-Karnataka
We will be requesting the builders’ association to use tertiary treated water for their construction activities. Now, as there is no demand, our tertiary plants are idle |
— T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, Chairperson, BWSSB
