The Hindu : Contamination of water sources causing alarm

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Contamination of water sources causing alarm

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 22. Of the 918 samples of groundwater from sources in and around the city, 534 were found to be unfit for drinking, according to the Director of Mines and Geology, Basappa Reddy.

"These samples had minerals such as nitrates, iron and fluoride above the permitted level and the quality of groundwater deteriorated appreciably between 1995 and 2004," he said.

He was speaking at the two-day seminar on "Water and Disasters" here on Monday, which was observed as World Water Day.

The geological structure of the city with hard rock, which was nonporous and the lack of enough aquifer underground resulted in depletion of water table. "Water could once be found at 5 to 6 metres depth earlier. Now water is found only after the borewells are drilled for 20 to 22 metres in many areas," Mr. Reddy said. There were more "failed wells" of all types which had dried up.

With most areas in and around Bangalore "built up", there was not much scope for rainwater to percolate down and recharge the groundwater. This was despite the city getting 800 to 900 mm rainfall in a good year and with rainfall spread over several months of the year. The problem of groundwater contamination became more acute with sewage, industrial effluents and chemical fertilizers and pesticides from farms seeping into the ground, Mr. Reddy said.

Sample studies showed that the industrial waste contained toxic chemicals including arsenic. The areas in the city with relatively good groundwater sources were Sadashivanagar, R.T.Nagar, Mehkri Circle and Rajajinagar. Hebbal, Jakkur, Hennur, and Chamarajpet were areas with the most contaminated groundwater, he said.

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