Corpn. to tap BARC technology to restore Villivakkam lake

Plan afoot to release recycled waste water into the waterbody

BARC officials inspecting the Villivakkam lake.

In a bid to mitigate pollution in waterbodies, Greater Chennai Corporation is exploring various technologies to recycle waste water and recharge groundwater.

As part of the efforts, the civic body has approached Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for technical support and guidance for restoration of Villivakkam lake.

According to the officials, the lake spread over 36 acres would be developed as an eco-tourism spot and a recreational space in a few months.

On Monday, a team of officials from BARC and Corporation visited the lake near Padi flyover. At present, work is under way to rejuvenate the waterbody under the Smart City project. A suspension pedestrian bridge would be provided among other amenities.

As a pilot project, the civic body plans to use BARC’s hybrid granular sequencing batch reactor for waste water recycling and blend it in the lake.

The 5-million litres a day capacity sewage treatment plant near the lake would be upgraded with the advanced technology.

The recycled waste water would be released into the lake to retain surface water throughout the year and help recharge groundwater in areas surrounding the waterbody up to a radius of five km.

It would also help in reviving aquatic life in the lake, the civic officials said.

Cost effective

J. Daniel Chellappa, senior scientist, BARC, said the technology could be used in modular STPs. It would occupy 25% less space than the conventional treatment facility and costs 50% less. It uses natural microbes present in waste water to remove contaminants and there was no need for secondary clarifier.

“There would not be any stench in the plants using this technology. Chemicals are not added for contaminant removal. The biological oxygen demand level in the treated sewage would be less than 10 mg per litre,” he also said.

The water analysis report need to be given by the civic body and decision on collaboration would be taken in the coming weeks, he said. Similarly, restoring the 6-km Mambalam canal is also on the cards using the technology.