The Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has found untraceable quantities of dissolved oxygen in our lakes. This is no laughing matter.
Story so far: On May 3, thousands of fish were found floating in the water of Mahadevapura lake. After a heavy downpour, most of the fish seemed to have just died. After the KSPCB collected water samples, it was learnt that oxygen levels in the lake had tanked. And other lakes in the city didn’t really do much better.
What happened: Officials say that the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had stopped paying attention to the stormwater drains in the area. This led to high levels of pollutants in the water which affected the oxygen levels.
- Even parts of the city that do have working Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) haven’t fared any better. The rising temperature and increased organic matter in the waters have adversely affected the ecosystem.
Way forward: According to experts, the lakes must be designed with sluice gates. This will allow for the inflow and outflow of water during storms which will reduce the chances of flooding drains.