The Hindu : Groundwater quality to be checked on a regular basis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Groundwater quality to be checked on a regular basis

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Dec. 10. An exercise initiated by the Department of Mines and Geology to assess groundwater quality in Bangalore has led to an initiative that will have the Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) monitor potability on a regular basis. This will complement monitoring by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) of 6,235 borewells.

The BWSSB randomly checks 200 borewells in slums and neighbourhoods where contamination is suspected.

The latest figures from the BWSSB show that 317 borewells are not in use (72 are highly contaminated and 245 have dried up). The remaining 5,918 borewells are functional, BWSSB sources say.

Samples taken from borewells are tested in the BWSSB laboratory for presence of nitrates and other harmful chemicals. Those that indicate contamination by bacteria are generally flushed out and allowed to fill again. Borewells in which contamination persists are not used till the next monsoon, sources say.

The KSPCB took action on the report of the survey conducted by the Department of Mines and Geology which covered about 900 borewells. A KSPCB official says the main source of contamination is sewage.

A committee comprising officials from the KSPCB, the BWSSB, the Department of Mines and Geology, the Central Groundwater Board, the BWSSB, and the BMP has been meeting regularly to discuss the issue.

The KSPCB has proposed the idea of identifying "model", or sample, borewells in various localities, which will serve as reference points or indicators of water quality.

The city will be divided into "grids" for the purpose, and one borewell or well identified in each grid as the sample for the grid.

At present, the exercise only involves testing the water quality. If the water quality is found to be below standard, borewells are closed.Ultimately, the source of contamination will be found and plugged.

The KSPCB plans to observe the effect of seasonal changes on groundwater through round-the-year monitoring.

The Geology Department's survey in June this year revealed that over 50 per cent of groundwater in the city is not potable. There were indications of high content of nitrates and bacteriological contamination in 74 per cent of the samples.

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