Title: Industrial Pollution: Contamination of Surface Water & Human Health in Veerapura, Bangalore
Abstract: Water quality of Lake Veerapura near Bangalore, India has deteriorated due to uncontrolled dumping of industrial waste. Lake Veerapura receives water from rainfall and industrial effluent streams and may be connected by underground aquifers to bore wells in Veerapura village. Researchers analyzed the extent of water pollution and possible health effects based on chemical analysis of water samples and interviews with 19 families living in Veerapura. Samples were collected from industrial effluent streams, Veerapura lake, and surrounding bore wells. Two sample sets were collected over one month and analyzed at the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) laboratory for potability and heavy metals. Quantitative results showed that 1) industrial effluent streams violated KSPCB industrial waste standards 2) lake water contained contaminants common to effluent streams 3) bore well water exceeded ISO drinking water standards for hardness. The interviews demonstrated that most families purchased drinking water from the public water supply because they considered bore well water unpotable. The families who had used bore well water in the past for drinking or bathing complained of muscle weakness, diarrhea, fever, and skin irritations. They also observed that water formed a cloudy film after boiling and corroded the metal containers used to store the water, supporting the quantitative results demonstrating the hardness of the water. Data from this study will aid the Veerapura community and the Society for Voluntary Action, Revitalization, and Justice (SVARAJ) in their efforts to improve the quality of Lake Veerapura and surrounding water resources available to Veerapura residents.