Treated sewage will solve Bangalore's problems

Even as millions in the city are still waiting to be connected to the water-supply grid, thousands of litres of  drinking water goes down the drains after being used for washing and cleaning, every day.

Sewage treatment plants could change this, but these are still not seen as a priority. After a delay of over five years, one such project is finally being revived at JP Park in Mathikere.

On Friday, urban development minister Suresh Kumar gave the nod for the setting up of a 3-5 mld capacity plant. Water generated would be supplied to railways and army areas.

Railways and defence personnel consume three and seven mld of drinking water, respectively. Most of it is used for washing bogies, watering plants and other purposes. The idea is to replace potable water with water treated up to tertiary level. Also, the 25-acre water body in the 96-acre park would be fed with treated water. This will help recharge the ground water table, the minister said.

“Water is drawn all the way from Cauvery basin and is used for washing bogies. What’s the point? I have been pushing for this for several years,” said councillor of JP Park ward BR Najundappa. Yeshwantpur and surrounding areas are facing shortage of drinking water and have been relying heavily on borewells which are drying up too.