Bengaluru: According to a report, only 45 per cent (1513.5 MLD) of sewage water generated in Karnataka is treated owning to the rapid urbanisation in most parts of the state.

The National Green Tribunal has been setup by the Central Monitoring Committee to study and suggest remedial measures to check river pollution in the state. The committee stated in the report submitted to the green bench that even though 125 sewage treatment plants are installed in Karnataka to treat 2,242 MLD sewage water, only 1513.5 MLD treated while the remaining 1,843 MLD is not treated.

According to the report, the treated water is used mostly for recharge of lakes, industrial establishments, by horticulture department, gardening and so on. Only 427.5 MLD treated water is being reused in Bengaluru city, while 106.65 MLD treated water is being used in areas other than Bengaluru city, stated the report.  

The report stated that the state must ensure the optimum utilisation of the existing treatment infrastructure and also ensure compliance of the plants with regard to the environment norms.

In Karnataka, a total of 17 rivers have been identified as ‘polluted stretch’ and Tunghabhandra river has been selected for model development of rejuvenation.

A total of 3,503 industries in the state generate 1,339 MLD polluting water, of which 3,289 industries have set up effluent treatment plants having the capacity to treat 4,532 MLD polluted water.