HYDERABAD: The sewage treatment plant (STP) on the Bhageerathamma Cheruvu in Nanakramguda is allowing untreated sewage to enter the heritage lake located in the west zone of the city. The STP was set up four years ago with a capacity of 4.5 million litres a day (MLD) of sewage but has been treating sewerage only about 2.6 MLD, leaving about 50 per cent of its capacity unutilised. The reason given by officials is insufficient sewage.
“The lake is one of the best in the city sustaining over 96 species of birds and fishes. But sending in untreated waste into the lake will turn this lake unfit for biodiversity,” said Ms Madhulika Chaudhary, an activist. The lake is adjacent to the financial district and has the famous heritage rock formation of Fakkruddingutta beside it. Locals allege the STP functions only for a few hours and lets out untreated sewage into the lake. The lake receives frothing sewage sometimes which is not typical for the treated water that is let out by STPs.
A senior official from the Metro Sewerage Board said that the STP was working and had not let out untreated sewage. “The GHMC must connect sewage lines to the STP, only then will it work to capacity,” said an official. He added that the STP works for 7-8 hours a day, treating the sewage flowing in from the surrounding colonies. A GHMC official said that the sewage was entering the lake, which was being maintained by them. “Some institutions nearby the lake have been letting in the sewage illegally. The STP is also letting some untreated water which is affecting the health of the lake,” a GHMC officer told this newspaper.
