Waste disposal threat to water resources

BANGALORE: Solid waste and improper garbage disposal systems pollute ground water in Bangalore and it is imperative to take action to preserve precious resources, said scientist of Central Ground Water Board Dr M A Farooqi.He was speaking on "Municipal Waste Disposal Practises and their impact on ground water quality" at a lecture organised by Geological Society of India in the city on Wednesday.He decried that most garbage dumping grounds in the city were only transit sites and were unscientific in nature."The locations are not thought out and are situated in many high polluted areas in the city. Seepage induced by such indiscriminate dumping has led to pollution," he explained.Groundwater in eastern, central and northern parts of the city were critically polluted, he averred, adding, southern parts of the city have evaded pollution.'Lack of Proper Drains a Problem'"Lack of a proper drainage system in these areas are causing problems. Open wells which have been converted into garbage dumps affect water the most as they penetrate groundwater channel directly," he said.He suggested adoption of rainwater harvesting systems to help reduce the high nitrate content in water as sampled in 89 parts of the city as another solution.Former regional director of Central Groundwater Board K C B Raju said that it is essential for authorities and scientists to locate the source of nitrate pollution in water. "Nitrate is commonly used in fertilizers, which are not commonly used in the city," he argued. He suggested the adoption of regional rainwater harvesting systems.