‘Bangalore lake waters fit only for washing’

Despite the spending of र200cr by the Karnataka state government, the water quality of the lakes and water bodies have not improved and the natural water storage capacity of nearly 191 lakes in the capital city has got reduced drastically. This is posing a serious threat to the mega-town’s ecological structure and weather conditions. Bangalore city water has been categorized as “E”-grade fit only for non-potable purposes like washing, cleaning, gardening, irrigation and industrial cooling. Nearly 1,800 acres of 800 lakes in Bangalore have been encroached causing urban refuse to be dumped there, thus degrading the water quality. The degradation of lakes due to encroachment of lands began nearly 20-years ago following massive migration to the town, urban sprawl and rural-population rush to the town.