Now, Karnataka forest department proposes selling treated water from TG Halli reservoir

Bengaluru: As the water in Thippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoir is considered to be too polluted to use for drinking purposes, the Forest Department has proposed selling the reservoir's water for non-potable purposes.

In a letter to the chief minister, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said selling the treated water from the reservoir will help bring revenue to the government. A meeting with ministers for water resources and minor irrigation should be held to explore the matter, he said.

TG Halli reservoir has been polluted due to the flow of industrial effluents and domestic sewage. He said treated water from the reservoir, along with the polluted lakes, could be sold for construction work and industrial use to reduce the pressure on clean water.

He said the government policy to allow selling of treated water in apartments has received positive feedback from the real estate companies during the recent meeting held by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

"The apartments are earning revenue for treating the water and the realtors are getting regular water supply. At the same time, this has reduced the flow of waste water to the lakes and rivers," the minister was quoted as saying in a note.

Sources in the department said the measure is aimed at draining the polluted water in the reservoir. "Once the reservoir is drained, it can be cleaned. That will pave the way for its development as a water source for Bengaluru," the source said.

Meanwhile, the government is dragging its feet on implementing the measures to protect the 1453 sq km catchment area of TG Halli reservoir. The government issued a notification in 2003 identifying the buffer zone of the catchment area but has failed to implement the rules, leading to largescale violations.

The government has spent Rs 260 crore to set up water treatment facilities for TG Halli reservoir. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) planned to get 110 mld from the reservoir. However, a test of the water showed that it was unfit for drinking. The agency is draining the water by pumping it to nearby Herohalli lake.