Karnataka Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy has expressed serious concerns about the pollution of the Cauvery river, saying that a considerable amount of Bengaluru’s wastewater eventually reaches the river system.
Reddy said Bengaluru receives about 2,375 million litres of water per day (MLD), including about 4 MLD of borewell water. About 2,000 MLD is sewage, much of which eventually flows to the Cauvery through the Vrishabhavati river.
His comments come at a time of increasing concern on water quality and the environmental consequences of untreated or poorly treated sewage entering the Cauvery basin.
Around 1,100 MLD Wastewater needs reuse
Reddy highlighted the need to increase reuse of treated wastewater in Bengaluru. And around 1,100 MLD of water is flowing away and should instead be treated and reused.
The minister said Bengaluru needs to improve its sewage treatment system and make sure sewage is properly processed before it enters natural water bodies.
The issue is especially pressing since the Cauvery is a major source of drinking and irrigation water for both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Raises Complaint Before NGT
Reddy also referred to a complaint filed by Tamil Nadu before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) concerning polluted water reaching a dam downstream.
He said a meeting was scheduled for the 14th to discuss the matter and that he had already instructed officials to ensure that sewage treatment plants (STPs) function properly.
The minister said that sanitary wastewater must be prevented from entering rivers without adequate treatment.
BWSSB asked to improve Sewage Treatment
Reddy said he had spoken with officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and issued instructions on sewage management.
The minister stressed that pollution cannot be addressed only at one point in the river. According to him, pollution is a concern from the origin of the Cauvery through its downstream course towards Tamil Nadu.
His comments underline the necessity for the expansion of sewage-treatment capacity, sewage-discharge monitoring and maintenance of existing treatment plants.
Strict Action Against Polluting Industries
Reddy also warned industrial businesses against releasing untreated or polluted water into rivers.
He said factories that release polluted water into the river could face severe action, including seizure.
And the warning comes as authorities are under pressure to protect the Cauvery and other water bodies from industrial and domestic pollution.
Shivakumar Government Marks 100 Days
Reddy also spoke about the completion of 100 days of the D.K. Shivakumar-led Karnataka government.
He said Shivakumar had promised to implement specific programmes within his first 100 days and claimed that the government had fulfilled 100% of the commitments it had announced.
The 100-day mark has become an important political moment for Karnataka government as the ruling Congress is proud of its achievements and the Opposition is still asking questions. In early September, Karnataka media reported celebrations and political reactions.
Cauvery Pollution remains a big problem.
The latest comments bring Bengaluru’s wastewater management back into focus. The city's huge daily water consumption generates huge volumes of sewage, so effective treatment and reuse will remain critical to the Cauvery basin’s survival.
Reddy’s warning suggests that Karnataka is going to take a stricter approach to both municipal sewage and industrial pollution as concerns over the health of the river persist.
