Effective microbe solution was let into Ulsoor Lake in the heart of Bangalore, rekindling hope of reviving water quality in the water body that has been polluted by sewage.
On Monday, about 1,000 litres of microbe solution was dissolved in different parts of the lake to reduce the high nutrient contents caused by inflow of sewage.
According to the Member of Karnataka High Court Lok Adalat Yellappa Reddy, the lake has been receiving untreated sewage at two points resulting in increase of nutrients and reduction of dissolved oxygen that is essential for aquatic life. The lake is also receiving untreated sewage let into the storm-water drain by some residents, he added.
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“The solution, which is a combination of bacteria, has been let in to reduce the nutrients in the water and improve water quality,” Mr. Reddy said. The increase of nutrients in the water not only leads to growth of algae, but also hyacinths, he added.
He had accompanied Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairman Vaman Acharya, and officials from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and MEG.
A couple of years ago, similar treatment had been taken up for improving water quality, he said, adding that the effort should be continuous. “The quantum of solution and frequency of it being let into the lake depends on the nutrients in the water, which needs to be checked constantly,” he added.
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The initiative has been taken up jointly by Titan and Hooduku Solutions, and a similar exercise had been taken up in 2010, said director of Hooduku Solutions Kiran P. Kulkarni. “It would take some time for the microbes to reduce nutrients and increased dissolved oxygen in the water,” he added.