Old and overwhelmed sewer system in Bengaluru polluting water bodies

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The sewer systems in Bengaluru are in a state of disrepair. The city's sewer lines are old and clogged, and they often overflow, polluting lakes and waterways.

Open sewage lines are a common sight in many parts of the city, and they pose a health hazard to residents. Sewage blockages also frequently occur, causing flooding and inconvenience to residents.

The total length of sewer lines in Bengaluru is 8387 kilometres. Lake activist from Action Aid Raghavendra B Pachhapur said, “The old and outdated sewage system causes the sewage blockage problem. The floods also worsen the sewage problem, as the sewage water mixes with the floodwater."

THE PROBLEM

The city's sewer system which is maintained by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and it has not been able to keep up with the city's growth.

The city's population has more than doubled since then, and the sewer system is now overloaded. The city’s rapid growth has put a strain on the sewerage system, which cannot keep up with the demand.

People often dump plastics and other nonbiodegradable materials, into the sewerage system clogging pipes and causing flooding.

News Trail made multiple attempts to contact the BWSSB regarding this issue, but there was no response for over 48 hours.

THE IMPACT

The pollution caused by the sewer system has had a devastating impact on the environment.

The lakes and waterways are now heavily polluted, and this has caused a decline in the fish population. The pollution has also contaminated the groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water for the city.

Sewage and industrial waste flowing into these lakes are polluting the lake. This sewage and industrial waste reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, which makes it hard for aquatic life to survive.

Raghavendra said the issue of unplanned stormwater drains and drainage systems in the city is not a new one. It has been happening for decades. Several departments, including those staffed by qualified engineers, are involved in the process of making the city ready for the monsoon.

He added, “However, it is unclear whether these departments are doing their jobs effectively.”

An independent researcher said that the city is focusing on upgrading a city's infrastructure without first addressing underlying problems is futile. Instead, it is essential to identify and resolve the root causes of existing issues while simultaneously improving infrastructure.