Dorekere Lake Report

Authored by Shreyas Sati and Alana Helin as part of the BIOME Trust Wetlands & Lakes Project

Summary

Dorekere Lake is on 28 acres and is located in the southwest part of Bangalore. It is frequented by many local residents who enjoy the provided walking path, gym, kalyani, and other amenities. A 1 MLD STP was constructed in 2010 which discharges treated water into the lake. There are two wetlands on the eastern side of the lake. In total, there are 6 inlet points and 1 outlet from the lake. Of those inlets, the STP treated water discharges into the lake, three inlets will discharge untreated sewage into a wetland which then flows into the lake, and two inlets discharge untreated water directly into the lake. The volume of inflow through the inlets could not be determined.

Overview and Observations

Dorekere Lake (Dorai Kere) is located in Uttarahalli, Bangalore.

Lake Area	28 acres
STP	Capacity: 1 MLD; Design: Conventional w/ Tertiary Treatment

In 2010, the BBMP restored the lake for an estimated Rs. 5.5-8 crore which included a new conventional STP1. In late 2012 or early 2013, the lake was de-weeded to improve its quality at a cost of approximately Rs. 15 lakh1. There are 6 inlet points, some of which discharge into one of the two wetlands, and 1 outlet from the lake. 

In the mornings and evenings, many local residents use the 1.3 km path and outdoor gym around the lake for walking, jogging, or other workouts. Due to the number of people visiting the lake, vendors will set up stalls outside of the entrance to sell fruit, juice, etc.

The Lake

Six inlets where water would enter Dorekere Lake were identified and are summarized below.

Inlet	Name	Description	Photos
1	STP Treated Water	Discharges onto rock berm between Wetland 1 and lake
2	Naala 1 Overflow	Untreated water overflows into Wetland 1
3	Eastern Culvert	Not currently discharging, but would flow into Wetland 1. Source is undetermined but may be runoff from apartment complexes.
4	Naala 2 Flow	Flows into Wetland 2
5	Southern Culvert	Not currently discharging, but would flow directly into the lake. Appears to be from a small wetland south of the fence
6	Naala 4 Overflow	Water passes through a lined wetland before overflowing into the lake

The outlet from the lake is an overflow system under a bridge in the NW corner of the lake.

Overflow outlet from Dorekere Lake

Around the edges of the lake, a buildup of algae on the surface was apparent as well as slight green hue to the entire water body. A few locals mentioned that fish kills and a strong sewage odor will often occur after a significant rain event. Also related, a water spigot near the SE wetland had been leaking at one point - a walker shut it off but noticed a bad smell after the water got on his hands. The source of the water which comes out of the spigots (there are several around the lake which are likely used for landscaping) is currently undetermined.

Along the walking path, there was what appeared to be an HDPE underground storage tank (UST) to the east of the gym area. Behind the gym to the north was also a filled kalyani. 

The plant growth around the lake is maintained by 6 individuals who trim the grasses.

The STP

The STP at Dorekere is owned by the BBMP and was constructed in 2010 for about Rs. 2.15 crore2. The STP is capable of treating 1 MLD of sewage. The sewage enters the plant from the sewage drain to the east of the STP and then the treated water is piped to the rock berm separating Wetland 1 from the lake. The STP discharge is not regularly tested to assess its quality.

It is a conventional treatment plant with aeration, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes. The filters are backwashed for a minimum of 10 minutes each day - the backwash is recycled to a previous step in the treatment process. Regular maintenance of the entire facility is performed annually.

STP Process Overview

The Wetlands

There are two wetland areas at Dorekere: Wetland 1 in the NE corner and Wetland 2 in the SE corner. Both are separated from the lake by a rock bund.

Wetland 1 has a large number of wetland plants throughout the area, though they did not cover the entire wetland.

Wetland 1 pictured above (facing northwest). The STP is behind the trees in the background.

Wetland 2 has very few, if any, plants. Because of this, the sewage from the drain undergoes very little treatment while in the wetland. Large solids may settle and be filtered as the water passes through the stones and plant growth on the bund.

Wetland 2 pictured above (facing northeast). Sewage drain discharging from right-hand side.

Contact Info

Dorekere STP Incharge : Azmath : 0 95912 37475

BBMP Incharge : Usha Rani : 98860-46498

References

1http://www.deccanherald.com/content/314953/dorekere-lake-gets-facelift-sewage.html

2http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/may/29/choked-by-urban-waste-bengaluru-lakes-become-sewage-tanks-1610224.html