Stormwater carrying sewage water enters recently restored Sampigehalli Lake during rain

Sampigehalli Lake, which was recently restored, continues to receive sewage water, with the problem escalating during heavy rain, as drainage problems around the lake are yet to be fully addressed.  

While conservationists and residents are working with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials to find a permanent solution, concerns remain over sewage entering the lake, fish deaths due to sewage water entry, and the lack of a reliable power supply for equipment installed to improve water quality. 

Ravindra, secretary of the Venkateshwar Nagar residents’ association, said residents had complained in the past about sewage being discharged directly into the lake at night. Following their protests, a pipeline was laid to carry the discharge to the other end of the lake. He said, “However, we continue to notice black water and waste along the lake’s edges.” As the lake is closed at night, residents cannot confirm whether sewage is still being discharged directly into it.  

Mr. Ravindra said the problem could also be linked to sewage treatment plants (STPs) at nearby apartment complexes getting flooded during heavy rain, allowing contaminated water to enter the lake. “But either way, this is resulting in heavy stench and posing health concerns.” 

Speaking to The Hindu, the residents pointed to problems with the drainage system around the lake. The catchment area has been reduced, leaving less space for rainwater to flow into the lake. As a quick-fix, a mud barrier was created, that has temporarily blocked one of the inlets, but residents fear that it may not hold when there is heavy rain.  

They demand a permanent solution with separate systems to carry sewage and rainwater. 

Residents argue that this is only one such inflow that poses a problem during every spell of heavy rain, when water from a nearby apartment complex is usuallydiverted into the lake as an emergency measure so that it does not flow towards the surrounding low-lying areas. However, flooding still persists. They said that the apartment had a sewage treatment plant but no outlet to discharge the water. With the flooding threatening informal settlements downstream, some water was diverted into the lake, but after that, the civic authorities have not shown much interest to find a permanent solution. 

M. Subhadra, a resident and adjunct fellow at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), which was involved in the restoration of the lake, said that while the situation had since stabilised, the members are still finding a permanent solution to the inflow.  

GBA officials said flooding in several areas had been linked to ongoing project work, disconnected stormwater drains, low-lying areas and local structural conditions. They said they were in touch with those affected to work towards a permanent solution.