The link shared in this blog takes you to Google My Maps in which there is information about various lakes, and existing/proposed STPs of Bangalore that are documented by Biome Environmental Trust. Upon clicking on each icons under each layer, you are prompted with either some set of information or a few links which will provide more information.
Monday, September 17, 2018
Friday, September 14, 2018
Hebbagodi Lake Report
Summary
Hebbagodi Lake is on 38 acres and is located very close to Biocon Limited in Electronic City, Bangalore. We visited the lake on 29 May 2018, and gathered that although the lake falls under the jurisdiction of Hebbagodi City Municipal Corporation, it is maintained by Biocon Limited since 2016. There is no STP at the lake, but the pollutant load of raw sewage entering the lake is reduced by addition of a certain type of bacteria based enzymes. There is one raw sewage inlet entering the lake from SW direction, and an outlet in the NE of the lake. Apart from the main inlet, there are four storm water inlets and a few inlets from individual houses where raw sewage enters. Upstream of Hebbagodi is Thirupalya and Shikaripalya lakes. Also there is Veerasandra lake which joins Hebbagodi from the North. There are 400 floating wetlands in the lake which are placed at the edges of the lake and near the outlet.
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| Hebbagodi Lake series Map |
Overview
and Observations
Hebbagodi lake is located in Electronic City, Bangalore.
Lake Area
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38 acres
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STP
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No STP exists at the lake but bacteria based enzyme is added upstream
of the lake to reduce the pollutant load of the sewage entering the lake from
SE direction. Floating wetlands and aerators in the lake also help in
maintaining the water quality in the lake.
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There is a motorable road around the lake. About half of the lake perimeter is fenced. There exist a childrens play area and a plan to install benches around the lake. Many shrubs, flowering plants and about 300 trees are planted around the lake. There is one primary inlet through which the sewage from the SW direction. The only outlet from the lake is located in the NE. Although there are fishes in the lake, no commercial fishing takes place. There are three gates around the lake to prevent the cows coming in and grazing. There are five people who work at the lake to maintain it.
The Lake
Only one inlet was identified from which
sewage would enter Hebbagodi Lake. It is summarized below.
Inlet
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Name
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Description
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Photos
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1
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Sewage inflow
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Partially treated sewage along with storm
water enters the lake from SW direction. Upstream of the inlet is Thirupalya
and Shikaripalya lakes. About 2 MLD of water enters into the lake.
|
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The outlet from the lake is an overflow system
in the NE of the lake.
The STP
No STP exists in the lake premises. However, a bacteria based enzyme provided by Jalavahini Management Systems added at various locations on the upstream side of the lake has helped in reducing the BOD levels from 250 ppm to 30-40 ppm near the outlets along with the reduction caused by wetland species. There are eight aerators to keep the DO levels in right amounts. Water quality is tested twice every month at Biocon labs and once a month at some external lab. The points of water sample collection are at the the inlet, centre and outlet.
The
Wetlands
There are about 400 floating wetlands at the edges and near the outlet of the lake. These floating wetlands are tied to the edge of the lake bund. Also, There is no stone placed on the slopes of the lake to hold the sand. To control the erosion they have planted vetiver on the slopes whose roots grow deep and helps in holding the soil together and prevents erosion. Vettiver is also found in the floating wetlands. Other wetland plant species are Canna, Colocasia, Nutgrass and Aligator Weed. The size of each floating wetland is about 4ft*8ft.
Contact
Info:
Ashwin, Engineer, EHS, Biocon:8884501116
Naveen, JMS Biotech: 9964755220
Shashank, JMS Biotech: 9742415496
Saturday, August 18, 2018
BBC Coverage : Reusing waste water
Meanwhile also a bit of coverage by BBC of some of Biomes efforts at a ground level participatory effort to conserve water and reuse waste-water
and
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Open wells in Vile Parle, Mumbai.
Got to see these 2 old open wells in Vile Parle, Mumbai. Both with water at about 5ft below ground level. One is at the station road in a market place and the other is called the sarkari well. Both are within 200 metres from each other. Most people in the area didnt know about the wells and said there are no open wells in Mumbai - but those that knew of the wells could not think of a time when the wells were not there !! They said the wells were a 100 years old. Both wells are used - for non potable purposes - and have never gone dry. The people around seemed to think they are 100ft deep - but I could not get around to fathoming it and had no measuring tape to confirm !! There were turtles/ fishes in the water and the water looked clean - though there was some garbage dumped - but there was no smell/grease. The wells were in public places , open (no grilles)- never had been thought of as a safety concern 
A hand pump near the sarkari well was now dry and had not been used for a while |
| Well on the station road - in the main market |
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| They cant think of a time when the well was dry |
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| Fishes - that the camera could not capture |
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| its as easy as that - drop a bucket - get the water |
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| safety does not seem like a concern- kids are careful |
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| a hand pump close by - but its dry |
Monday, August 6, 2018
On NDTV : Will Bengaluru Run Out Of Water Soon?
https://www.ndtv.com/video/environment/news/will-bengaluru-run-out-of-water-soon-490060
In the Deccan Herald : Million Recharge Wells
https://www.deccanherald.com/city/campaign-rejuvenate-city-wells-682316.html
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Tree Plantation in Arsenahalli and Gangavara Government School
Biome Environmental Trust (Biome) has installed Rainwater
Harvesting (RWH) system in 10 government schools around Devanahalli. This project
is supported by Wipro Cares and Wipro Aerospace & Defence Plant,
Devanahalli.
As part of the program, Wipro employees have visited the
government schools. One of the observations from the school visit and after interacting
with the teachers in the school has been that many of the schools’ lack ‘green
spaces’ inside the campus. The schools have large open land which is either used
as a playground or otherwise remains unused and not maintained.
On occasion of World Environment Day 2018, Wipro and Biome conducted
a tree plantation activity in 2 schools, out of 10 schools. The two schools
were Arsenahalli higher primary school and Gangavara higher primary school. The
intent was to increase the green cover as well as engage with the students, staff
and the community.
Wipro volunteers, HEADS (a partner organization of Wipro
engaging on health aspects) and Biome participated in the event. The event
started with Biome team explaining RWH in the school, HEADS team spoke about
importance of health and hygiene to the students and Wipro employees engaged
with students on the theme of World Environment Day i.e. beat plastic pollution.
After the introductions, the plantation activity was started. Below pictures
capture the event:
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