Efficacy of Rejuvenation of Lakes in Bengaluru, India

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The main objective of the present work is to assess the efficacy of the restoration endeavour in Bengaluru lakes, Karnataka, India. Rapid urbanisation coupled with industrialisation in urban areas has greatly stressed the available water resources qualitatively and quantitatively. This has also resulted in the generation of enormous sewage and wastewater after independence.
 Method: Environmental monitoring of 40 restored lakes was carried out to identify the key issues and assessing water quality (physical, chemical and biological). Weighted arithmetic water quality index (WQI) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was determined using data of physicochemical parameters of lakes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) performed using PAST3 software to identify the factors responsible for variations in water quality.
 Main Findings: The monitored forty lakes distributed across the three major watersheds namely Koramangala and Challaghatta valley, Vrishabhavathi valley and Hebbal valley were grouped under three different WQI status like good water quality (10%); poor water quality (37%) and very poor water quality (53%). Majority of these restored lakes has become polluted which indicates improper decontamination and poor maintenance of restored lakes.
 Application of this study: This study provides vital information for policymakers to understand the gaps which helps in the course correction while implementing further rejuvenation of lakes.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The efficacy of rejuvenation was assessed through integrated cost-effective scientific approaches for the lake monitoring. Monitoring during the pre and post rejuvenation period has aided in assessing the efficacy of rejuvenation, which is done for the first time in India.

A comprehensive review of water quality control on lentic ecosystem through the water quality, IoT and aeration models

“…Figure 9 depicts a prototype of a surface aerator. In 2020, Ramchandra et al (2020) proposed the implementation of a fountain aerator as a restoration approach in Bengaluru Lake, India. Nevertheless, as a result of the continuous influx of untreated or insufficiently treated sewage from the surrounding area and the discharge of industrial waste, the majority of the lakes that have been recovered are contaminated (Ramchandra et al, 2020).…”

“…In 2020, Ramchandra et al (2020) proposed the implementation of a fountain aerator as a restoration approach in Bengaluru Lake, India. Nevertheless, as a result of the continuous influx of untreated or insufficiently treated sewage from the surrounding area and the discharge of industrial waste, the majority of the lakes that have been recovered are contaminated (Ramchandra et al, 2020). A recent study conducted by Chen et al (2021) has discovered that the disturbance caused by aeration can lead to an elevation in nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus, as a result of the resuspension of nutrient-rich sediments from the surface.…”

Assessment of Water Quality in Amgaon’s Lakes: Implications for Beautification and Recreation

“…Wetland ecosystems, including lakes, are vital for ecological sustainability, with their integrity directly linked to watershed health. However, rapid urbanization and unplanned anthropogenic activities globally have severely impacted these ecosystems, necessitating lake restoration efforts to address issues such as water pollution, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss, crucial for human health and environmental well-being [5].…”

Decision Support Tools for Water Quality Management

“…Likewise, municipal and industrial sectors that rely on a high-quality drinking water supply are cognizant of the challenges associated with curtailing pollution, while minimizing the costs of treatment and pollutant disposal (e.g., References [20][21][22]). As a consequence, urban areas are increasingly looking to holistic [23] and nature-based pollution-abatement strategies [24,25].…”