Water quality of lower lake Bhopal

The lower lake has an area of 1.29 km² and its catchment area is 9.6 km². The lake receives subsurface seepage from upper lake and drainage from 28 sewage carrying nallahs. The lower lake does not have any fresh water source. The major sources of pollution in lower lake are drainage from sewage nallahs, lack of fresh water source and commercial washing of clothes. Some physico-chemical characteristics of lower lake, Bhopal were investigated. Physical parameters such as pH, EC, Total alkalinity, BOD and COD values of lower lake water samples were exceeded the desirable limits prescribed by WHO. In this paper water quality of lower lake Bhopal was investigated for drinking purpose and results indicate that lower lake water is unsafe for domestic use as it receives a large amount of raw sewage from its densely populated habitation. It requires proper monitoring and environment management plans to control the release of effluents and to maintain its aesthetic beauty and water quality.