Hyderabad: The Durgam Cheruvu lake is laden with pollutants and has poor oxygen levels. This has been reiterated in the three-member committee report submitted before the Telangana high court earlier this week.
The HC set up the committee after it converted a TOI article which highlighted the deteriorating state of the iconic lake, into a PIL.
Headed by the director of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) Atul Vaidya, the committee was tasked with assessing water quality, identifying encroachments on lakebed, and proposing measures to enhance its condition.
The body conducted tests at 12 different locations of the lake, assessing parameters such as the levels of heavy metals, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
High presence of bacteria
“The lake samples recorded an abundance of coliforms. Total dissolved solids of the lake samples varied from 491 to 600 mg/litre. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the lake varied from 2.0 to 8.0 mg/l while biological oxygen demand varied from 3.7 to 20.5 mg/l. Chemical oxygen demand of lake water ranged from 52 to 94 mg/l,” the report concluded.
As per to the Central Pollution Control Board, the permissible limits are – 50 or less for coliforms; 250 mg or less for dissolved solids; 6 mg or more for DO, 2mg or less for BOD and 20 mg or less for COD.
While the committee maintained that the presence of heavy metals in the lake isn’t alarming just yet, it did find certain quantities of metals such as iron, manganese, nickel, zinc and metalloids (arsenic and boron), cadmium, cobalt, copper, total chromium, lead and mercury in the water.
Untreated sewage flow
The report also identified the probable sources of sewage flowing into the lake and stated how the existing STPs aren’t enough to treat it. While the lake has two sewerage treatment plants (STPS) of 5 MLD and 7 MLD, the total quantity of sewage flowing in from the Madhapur area is 20 MLD. As a result, at least 8 MLD goes into the lake without any treatment. “This 12 MLD is treated in both the STPs and the remaining is allowed to flow through a channel which then flows into Malkam Cheruvu,” the report stated. Malkam Cheruvu flows close to Durgam Cheruvu.
Along with the report, the committee also provided an extensive set of recommendations – both short-term and long-term – to protect and preserve the water body.
Talking to TOI, Atul Vaidya said, “The fundamental approach to preserving any lake is to regulate its pollution levels. Our report details our findings, offering both quantitative and qualitative analysis, along with a comprehensive list of necessary actions. Now it is up to the court how it wants to take it forward.”
Encroachments shrink lake
The report also highlighted the encroachments plaguing the water body that spans 160.7 acres with a maximum depth ranging from 10 to 13 metres. It was designated as a protected area because of the unique rock formations adjoining the lake.
However, the report found that despite a 2001 order from the high court to the Telangana state pollution control board (TSPCB) and Hyderabad metropolitan water supply and sewerage board (HMWSSB) against permitting residential developments near the lake, numerous encroachments have been reported over the last two decades.
The HC set up the committee after it converted a TOI article which highlighted the deteriorating state of the iconic lake, into a PIL.
Headed by the director of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) Atul Vaidya, the committee was tasked with assessing water quality, identifying encroachments on lakebed, and proposing measures to enhance its condition.
The body conducted tests at 12 different locations of the lake, assessing parameters such as the levels of heavy metals, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
High presence of bacteria
“The lake samples recorded an abundance of coliforms. Total dissolved solids of the lake samples varied from 491 to 600 mg/litre. Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the lake varied from 2.0 to 8.0 mg/l while biological oxygen demand varied from 3.7 to 20.5 mg/l. Chemical oxygen demand of lake water ranged from 52 to 94 mg/l,” the report concluded.
As per to the Central Pollution Control Board, the permissible limits are – 50 or less for coliforms; 250 mg or less for dissolved solids; 6 mg or more for DO, 2mg or less for BOD and 20 mg or less for COD.
While the committee maintained that the presence of heavy metals in the lake isn’t alarming just yet, it did find certain quantities of metals such as iron, manganese, nickel, zinc and metalloids (arsenic and boron), cadmium, cobalt, copper, total chromium, lead and mercury in the water.
Untreated sewage flow
The report also identified the probable sources of sewage flowing into the lake and stated how the existing STPs aren’t enough to treat it. While the lake has two sewerage treatment plants (STPS) of 5 MLD and 7 MLD, the total quantity of sewage flowing in from the Madhapur area is 20 MLD. As a result, at least 8 MLD goes into the lake without any treatment. “This 12 MLD is treated in both the STPs and the remaining is allowed to flow through a channel which then flows into Malkam Cheruvu,” the report stated. Malkam Cheruvu flows close to Durgam Cheruvu.
Along with the report, the committee also provided an extensive set of recommendations – both short-term and long-term – to protect and preserve the water body.
Talking to TOI, Atul Vaidya said, “The fundamental approach to preserving any lake is to regulate its pollution levels. Our report details our findings, offering both quantitative and qualitative analysis, along with a comprehensive list of necessary actions. Now it is up to the court how it wants to take it forward.”
Encroachments shrink lake
The report also highlighted the encroachments plaguing the water body that spans 160.7 acres with a maximum depth ranging from 10 to 13 metres. It was designated as a protected area because of the unique rock formations adjoining the lake.
However, the report found that despite a 2001 order from the high court to the Telangana state pollution control board (TSPCB) and Hyderabad metropolitan water supply and sewerage board (HMWSSB) against permitting residential developments near the lake, numerous encroachments have been reported over the last two decades.