A majority of lakes and storm water drains in Bengaluru are severely polluted. These water bodies recharge groundwater, which means their pollutants are getting into our open wells and borewells.
As per environmental jurisprudence, the polluter has to pay. But apartment STPs (sewage treatment plants) are usually set up and approved by five different players. So who’s the real polluter when an STP is defective?
KSPCB has sent notices to hundreds of apartments in the city, alleging they are discharging untreated sewage. Apartments have gone to court against what they call an arbitrary action.
Better groundwater quality in cities requires an underground sewage network and its timely treatment and usage. Outskirts of BBMP limits in Bengaluru are yet to be covered by a sewage network, though plans are underway.
