The Hindu 23.03.2010
Check groundwater contamination: judge
Staff Reporter
| He also stresses on water conservation and rainwater harvesting |
— Photo: K. Gopinathan 
For a cause:Former Minister B.T. Lalitha Naik at a function organised by the YMCA's Save Bangalore Movement as part of the World Water Day in Bangalore on Monday.
Bangalore: To ensure sustainable availability of water, every citizen has to play a vital role not only in conserving water but also preventing contamination of groundwater, apart from harvesting rainwater, Karnataka High court judge V. Gopal Gowda said here on Monday.
Speaking after inaugurating a programme organised jointly by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bangalore Jalamandali Abhiyantara Sangha to mark World Water Day, Mr. Gowda blamed the citizens for contamination of groundwater.
“Following rapid industrialisation and letting of sewage into the valleys, all river valleys in the city — Vrishabhavathi, Challaghatta and Hebbal — have been polluted,” he said.
Monday (March 22) is being observed as World Water Day, with the theme “Clean Water for a Healthy World.” This theme signifies that water quality is an important parameter touching on all aspects of ecosystems and human well-being. Therefore, water quality is influential in determining human poverty, wealth and educational levels.
‘Cut usage'
Secretary, Urban Development, Shambhu Dayal Meena called upon people to keep a tab on their monthly water bills and reduce usage.
“People should stop using potable water for washing vehicles and watering plants. I am saying this because I am from Rajasthan and I know the importance of water,” he said and called upon residents' welfare organisations to actively involve themselves in conserving water.
The programme included two technical sessions wherein experts from Germany, U.K. and various parts of the State presented papers.
BWSSB chairman P.B. Ramamurthy, BDA Commissioner Siddaiah, KUIDFC Managing Director Aravind Srivatsav and other top officials were present.
Meanwhile, the YMCA's Save Bangalore Movement also observed World Water Day by organising an awareness programme on the importance of water conservation.
