Mangaluru: Using non-functional fountain aerator, Gujjarakere smells again

With the continuous leakage of sewage and non-functional fountain aerators, the water turned gray-green in Gujjarakere, while the fish in the lake dying on April 23, 2025 in Jeppu, Mangaluru. |Photo source: Anil Kumar Sastry

Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. has installed five fountain aerators that oxidizes the water body and removes dissolved organic compounds in July 2022, and the historic Gujjarakere is starting to smell again, even the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) failed to stuff the sewage supply into the lake.

Praveen Bappal, a resident of the area, said when hundreds of people visit the lake and take an evening walk, they have to inhale the stench. “Recently, fish in the lake have obviously died, apparently because of lower oxygen levels and increased dissolved oxygen levels. Local residents have now removed dead fish and other garbage.”

MCC failed

Gujjarakere Tirtha Samrakshana Samithi Secretary Nemu Kottari secretly blames the MCC for not being able to flow sewage into the lake. He regrets that several complaints to the authorities indicated that the lake water was contaminated with sewage, and even public outcry had no impact on the company’s resolution of the issue.

All five fountain aerators installed by Mangaluru Smart City Ltd., in July 2022, made the Gujjjarakere Lake water smell and emitted the dying Gujjjarakere Lake water in Jeppu, Mangaluru on April 23, 2025. Image source: Anil Kumar Sastry

MSCL installed a fountain aerator to oxygenate the water. When the water pumps water from the fountain, the droplets collect air from the environment and then return to the lake. In addition to removing dissolved organic compounds, the all-weather process also oxygenates the water. In the evening, the fountain aerator with colorful lights adds beauty to the lake.

“We haven’t seen the aerator working after the Navaratri Festival,” said Kusuma Devadiga, a resident of the area. The water looks fresh even at night when used to enhance the beautiful colorful lights of the lake.

Hand over to MCC

A senior smart city official said that after the lake was restored in March 2022, MSCL handed it over to the MCC. MSCL deducted approximately Rs 1.5 lakh margin from the contractor for failing to operate the fountain correctly. He said this will be handed over to the MCC for repair work.

MCC Commissioner Ravicandra Naik said he was unaware of the dysfunction of the fountain aerator. The commissioner said he would investigate the issue.