DH News Service,Bangalore: The Tungabhadra river basin is getting more polluted. A study done by the Pune based NGO Society for Promoting Participative Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM), show alarming variations in the pH value and quantity of biochemical oxygen in water samples from the river basin. SOPPECOM took up the study as part of the Striver, a three-year programme under the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union. The programme aims at developing inter-disciplinary strategies and methodologies for improved Integrated Water Resources. SOPPECOM, along with the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore and ZEF, Bonn has taken up the study of the Tungabhadra river basin, which covers Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The NGO team selected 10 spots in Karnataka and took samples of water for the study. The river basin covers 47,827 sqkm. As much as 81.1 per cent of the total basin area is in Karnataka. The river course starts at Kudli, where Tunga and Bhadra rivers merge, and enters Andhra Pradesh at Karnataka border near Gangavathi after covering Honnali, Harihar and Hospet. The study indicates that over the years water in the river basin is getting polluted because of industries in the basin area and also because of the untreated municipal waste generated in towns being let into the river. Nearly 27 major industries, 2,543 small scale industries are located in the basin and 50 more mega industries are expected to come up in the area. As many as 28 urban local bodies are also located in the area. Hardly any of these have waste treatment plants. Another major source of pollution is excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The NGO says that unregulated mining in Hospet taluk is also a major contributing factor of pollution of the river. Study of samples collected from select points indicate that average pH value of water has gone down below six, against the normal of seven. Dip in pH value signifies concentration of effluent from industries. A few samples have also shown pH value which is more than seven, which is an indication that the water has become acidic. Similarly, there has been a decline in the quantity of biological oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen in samples. According to the study, groundwater in the region has been badly affected. Traces of nitrates and fluoride are found extensively in groundwater samples collected from 150 villages. This is due to the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Of the 28 taluks that come under the basin area, groundwater in 13 taluks has been over exploited, according to the study. REMEDIAL MEASURES *Regulate industries *Close down industries emanating hazardous wastes *Change in agri practices *Enabling legislation for good practice *Judicious use of water LAW TO REGULATE GROUNDWATER USE Bangalore, dhns: The State government is contemplating a law to regulate use of groundwater in the State. Economic advisor to the Chief Minister Dr K V Raju, on Tuesday, said that a draft of the law will be ready shortly. Speaking at the inauguration of the meeting of Tungabhadra Basin stakeholders in Bangalore, Dr Raju said, debates on the draft of the bill are being held. Recently, a debate was convened at the Institute for Social and Economic Change to discuss the means of regulating exploitation of groundwater through an effective law. He said the law would stress on recharging the groundwater table. Dr Raju said the pattern of using water in the Tungabhadra river basin has changed over the years. As per the norm only 2 per cent of the allocated amount of water should be utilised for drinking purposes. Whereas, in some areas the usage has reached 10 per cent. Due to this trend many are losing their share of water, he said. The meeting was organised as part of Striver, a three-year programme under the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union. Farmers from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh attended the programme.