Bengaluru: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has directed state pollution authorities to take action against Viwa Eco Club, which operates a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in the Veerasandra Industrial Estate near Electronics City, after high levels of lead and cyanide were detected in the treated water.
The CETP, with a capacity of 20 kilolitres per day (kld), treats effluents from 53 industrial units, primarily metal surface finishers, metal coaters, electroplaters and others. These industries transport their effluents to the plant's collection tank via tankers. In April 2024, the plant treated 486 kilolitres of acidic wastewater from 49 units.
In a letter to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman, CPCB member secretary Bharat Kumar Sharma reported that a CPCB team inspected the plant on April 19 and identified several issues. The team collected samples of treated wastewater from the reverse osmosis (RO) permeate tank, and lab results showed significant violations.
The analysis revealed that the concentration of lead in the treated water was 1.44 mg/litre, exceeding the prescribed standard of 0.1 mg/litre. The cyanide concentration was measured at 0.4 mg/litre, above the standard of 0.2 mg/litre.
The treated water was intended for disposal on the CETP premises, but the available land — approximately 500 square meters — was deemed insufficient to accommodate the large volume of treated water throughout the year. "It appears unfeasible to dispose of the entire volume of treated water through gardening in such a limited area," the CPCB noted.
The central board also pointed out that the plant's consent authorisation fails to specify a disposal method for water rejected by the RO plant and directed the state authority to address the issue.
"The KSPCB is instructed to take appropriate action, including imposing environmental compensation where applicable, based on the findings," the CPCB stated, adding that a study should be conducted to determine the plot area required for disposing of treated water.