Udaipur lakes a victim of poor sewage management

UDAIPUR: Damaged manholes and leaking sewer lines point to the deplorable condition of lakes in Udaipur.
On one hand, fresh rainwater from the catchment areas are filling the lakes steadily, while on the other hand, the lake water is flowing out into waste through damaged manholes and sewer lines that were laid back some 40 years ago.
Another problem is the multifarious points of leakage.The sewage and waste water flowing in some open drains leaks through the perforated old walls of the lake, thus, contaminating the water body. The leaking sewer lines are also polluting the groundwater.
Environmentalists and lake activists said that after laying of the new sewer system, the old lines need to be properly grouted as these lines are still carting waste water and causing menace.
“Last year, I had complained to the administration about leakage in sewer lines and upon my request a group of experts and officials of Udaipur Municipal Corporation inspected various points and found leakages at 28 places, including Lal Ghat, Gangaur Ghat, Rovaniya Ghat, Amar Kund, Nayi Puliya, Kumhariya Talab, Amba puliya etc. The lakes were empty then, but officials didn’t take concrete action and now when the lakes are brimming, crores of litres of water are being polluted,” says Tej Shankar Paliwal, an activist and member of a committee on lakes.
“Major problems identified recently are that a portion of sewer line, which is still on lake bed in Kumharia Talab, Rang Sagar is diverting the lake water and wasting it. Lake water seepage is also through manholes near Brahmpol. In non-monsoon season, the waste water leaks through this system into the lakes and contaminate the lake water which is supplied for drinking to the residents,” says expert Anil Mehta, a water scientist.
Mehta also informs about an old system of water release through the Jhariya Marg embankment wall of the Swaroop Sagar. “When the lake is full, the release is high. Enormous water which gets released goes waste into drains. The embankment wall along swaroop sagar is damaged due to trees grown on the wall and endangering the strength and durability of this wall,” he says.
The experts suggest proper grouting of old sewer lines that was still carrying waste water. The waste accumulated in these lines rots and produce harmful gases and even explosion has taken place earlier this year.
Activists also say there is no well-defined system of inspecting and repairing the damaged lake walls. It results in entry of sewage in non-monsoon time and wasting of lake water in the monsoon season.
Suggesting remedies, experts say all the domestic connections to the old sewer lines should be attached to the new line. The portion of old line in the lake bed should be removed immediately. The inner city wards along lakes are in smart city area. Smart sensors may be installed to real time monitor the sewer leakage or if there is excessive flow.