Hyderabad's RK Puram Lake, may have 'frothed' last week, due to a mixture of sewage and alleged dumping of animal waste, according to a preliminary investigation by the Pollution Control Board (PCB).
Officials from the PCB had taken samples of the water from the lake on Thursday after a large cloud of froth accumulated in one corner of it, last Saturday.
"Our preliminary analysis revealed that there is organic matter in the samples of the lake. We suspect that someone has been dumping pig waste in the water. There is also a cattle farm nearby, which may be dumping the organic matter. We are bringing that to the notice to the government," N Raveendher, a senior scientist from the PCB, told TNM.
According to the initial results, detergent levels, which should be 1 mg, are also twice as much, roughly between 2 mg to 3 mg.
“Besides that, there is sewage entering from three lines, into the lake. This is one of the main factors. Phosphate and nitrate content in the lake is also extremely high," Raveendher said.
While 1 or 2 mg is considered to be the limit for phosphates in water, Raveendher said that the results showed that the levels were above 10 mg.
This has also resulted in eutrophication of the lake, which means that the amount of nutrients in the lake are extremely high, and have resulted in a dense growth of water hyacinth.
The lake is a part of the Alwal catchment area and is fed by water from several smaller bodies in the area.
From here, the water travels to the Safilguda Lake, also known as the 'mini tank bund', before travelling to Banda Cheruvu (lake) and finally ending up in the Musi River.
It is also interesting to note that the PCB results showed that the foam that had developed over the RK Puram Lake, was also very different from the kind that floated over Bengaluru's lakes.
"The solution is that the sewage should be stopped, and diverted via sewer lines. The HMWSSB (Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board) can take it up, and redirect the waste that is entering the lake," Ravendheer pointed out.
"However, it is still early to conclusively state that this was the reason. Further tests are being conducted," he added.
This latest frothing, was the second such incident reported in the city in June.
On June 8, Dharani Nagar witnessed froth, several feet high, along the Kukatpally nala.
Taking into account the rising number of instances, Raveendher said, "We are seeking to prepare an exhaustive action plan in coordination with various departments and we will submit the same to the government. We are also considering the formation of a committee to prepare the plan, and find the cause and solution of these incidents."
"We are conducting a workshop later this week at Engineering Staff College of India in the city, from June 5 to June 7, where we will bring up this issue, and also discuss ideas to clean up the water bodies," he added.