Our approach to addressing water quality issues in the lake involves three crucial aspects: assessing the baseline condition, designing nature-based solutions and developing operation and maintenance guidelines for interventions.

The comprehensive year-long study at Venkateshpura Lake indicates a decline in the lake’s water quality, primarily due to elevated nutrient levels and organic matter inputs from both internal and external sources. This deterioration has led to the loss of aquatic life, evident by frequent fish kill events. Analysis highlights a notable contribution of total phosphorus from lake sediments. Consequently, we recommend dredging as one potential solution to mitigate nutrient input from sediments. However, since dredging provides only a temporary solution, we propose designing and implementing nature-based alternatives such as constructed wetlands and floating islands in the lake.

The placement and design of these solutions are informed by inflow load estimation and contamination profiling of the lake. These systems will effectively address both dry and wet weather flows, ensuring comprehensive water treatment. Furthermore, an ongoing community engagement and outreach programme has been established, involving neighbouring apartment complexes and a police academy. The objective is to educate stakeholders on wastewater treatment and disposal techniques and their impact on lake health.