Bengaluru: While the BWSSB has sent its recommendation for state government's consideration to relax dilution of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) rules, environmentalists have expressed their ire over the water board's move.
BWSSB wants to modify the rule which had directed all apartment complexes housing 20 residential units and above to mandatorily install STPs. It wants this rule to be applied only for apartment complexes with 50 and above residential units.
Water expert and coordinator of energy and wetland research, IISC, Dr T V Ramachandra told Deccan Chronicle, "The recommendation sent by the water board shows how insensitive they are towards conserving water and environment."
He said such recommendations should not be approved by the state government. Ramachandra said "Untreated water has turned out to be bane for Bengaluru and this should no longer be continued. As untreated water is let into storm water drains and lakes, pollution levels have shot up."
He said nitrate levels and carcinogenic agents in lakes and groundwater has been on the rise.
When pointed out that promoters of apartment complexes with 20 flats are demanding exemptions citing reasons like space shortage, lack of affordable technology, Ramachandra said "This is not a valid reason. Environment conservation should not take the back seat for reasons like lack of space."
If they can build such big apartment complexes, space should not be a problem, he said and maintained that if that is the case, there is no harm in sacrificing one flat making way for STP installation. He further said that STP technologies were available at affordable cost.
Water expert Kshitij Urs said that if space was a constraint, arrangements must be made by the water board to collect the sewage water from the apartments and treat it by charging money from them. He further added that builders who have violated STP norms should be held responsible and made to pay up.
BWSSB chief engineer Kemparamaiah was not available for comments.
