Bengaluru: Research indicates Bellandur and Jakkur lakes require better wastewater treatment

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) conducted research along the Bellandur and Jakkur lakes. They identified potential risks for the survival of marine life along the water body. 

In its findings, it has noted that most of the secondary wastewater treatment plants installed at the lakes do not get rid of nitrogen and phosphorous. it can also be noted that the algal bloom in the lakes is a result of high phosphorus and nitrogen content. Even the constructed wetlands are not removing the nutrients and even kill fish.

The study evaluated that the quality of water in Bellandur Lake is poor and that Jakkur lake although not fully restored was moderately more well equipped for bathing and fisheries. “Our study found that effective wastewater treatment is important for improving water quality of urban lakes. Without this, all uses are lost as the water quality becomes hazardous to both humans and animals. Severely polluted lakes, with little sewage treatment, are a high source of greenhouse gas emissions, with many urban lakes now covered under IPCC guidelines making an additional incentive to install effective wastewater treatment,” the study highlighted.