‘City has used up 200 pc of groundwater resources’

‘City has used up 200 pc of groundwater resources’
Poornima Nataraj, July 12, Bangalore, DHNS:

Bangaloreans have used up around 200 per cent of groundwater resources, which includes both ‘dynamic’ as well as ‘static’ groundwater resources in the City.

Dynamic water level is the level which gets replenished every year during rains and static water level is the constant groundwater storage. According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Karnataka has utilised 70 per cent of its groundwater sources, whereas India as a whole has utilised 58 per cent of its groundwater reserve.

To contain rapid depletion and rampant pollution of groundwater sources, the Lok Adalat had called all top officials from Government departments, civic agencies including BBMP, BWSSB, BDA and others to save groundwater in the City under the guidance of CGWB scientists.

Environmentalist Yellappa Reddy who was also present at the meeting informed Deccan Herald that all the commissioners of different civic agencies were asked to submit a progressive report on August 30.

“Alarming results surfaced when CGWB scientists gave a presentation on the status of groundwater levels in the City and its quality. Commissioners of different civic agencies have already taken up the issue,” he said.

Indifferent to pollution

According to scientists at CGWB, people are indifferent to the pollution of groundwater. “People dump garbage inside dry wells and in the vicinity of borewell pumps which leads to groundwater contamination,” said a scientist.

Separate pipelines must be laid for stormwater and sewerage, as this is one of the major causes of groundwater pollution.

Tertiary treatment of sewerage water and systematic garbage disposal can help prevent contamination at source. Efforts should be directed towards recharging of water bodies, which would store water for longer duration thereby facilitating percolation of water, he added.

Regulation of source

“In addition to recharging, there is a dire need to stop overuse of borewells in the City. Groundwater regulation must be implemented immediately,” he informed. The scientist also pointed out that water consumption must be charged as ‘per capita consumption’ instead of slab-wise, which is being practiced now.

When BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah was questioned about the Palike’s efforts, he said the guidelines imparted by CGWB were being followed.