For the time being, BBMP has taken up spraying while BWSSB is fixing a mesh

Motorists driving through the narrow bridge downstream of Bellandur lake will have to bear with frothing for some more time, as it may take at least five years for the problem to be solved.

T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, chairperson of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), on Monday indicated that the short and long term measures to contain froth in the Bellandur and Varthur lakes may take five years to fructify. He said that the board has taken a slew of measures, including construction of sewage treatment plants (STPs), to treat all the water flowing into the lakes.

Around 800 million litres of sewage flows into the two lakes every day. “As an immediate measure, BBMP has taken up spraying while BWSSB is fixing a mesh. The Bangalore Development Authority will be building a ramp so that the water flows gently, instead of dropping from a height,” he said.

As a mid-term solution, the sewage will be diverted away from the lakes. As part of long-term measures, STPs with a capacity of 398 MLD have been proposed. “Already, there is an installed capacity of around 250 MLD while STPs for 150 MLD are under construction. We have also sent proposals to construct STPs for 195 MLD capacity under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation).”

Mr. Bhaskar also said that BWSSB had entrusted an agency to suggest permanent solutions to the frothing problem.