The study of the lake's water revealed that presence ofbacteria there was 1,200 counts, which researchers say is not even fit to be touched by humans. The tolerable bacteria count in water bodies is 200 or less.

The amount of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in the same water was 0.5 and a former scientist of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) told The Daily Star that marine life could not survive in water that had a dissolved oxygen level of less than 5.0.

The Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Gulshan Lake was found at 35, indicating serious contamination of the water. The acceptable level is three or less.

The level of pH in Gulshan Lake, which shows acidity and alkali was counted at 7.1. If the pH in water is more than 7 counts it creates alkali. If alkali is over 7, it increases the acidity in the water.

Hundreds of drains carry toxic waste and untreated sewage into the Gulshan Lake everyday. The DoE study in effect solved the mystery of dead fishes in the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake a couple of years ago.

Water of Dhanmondi Lake, parts of which was excavated and cleaned about five years ago, had the most ideal BOD level with 1.9 counts. It however has 600 counts of coliform, 6.1 counts of DO, 1.9 and 6.95 counts of pH.

With 900 counts, the water of Crescent Lake has the second highest count of coliform. At 8.3 it has the best DO level among the five lakes. Crescent Lake's BOD level (2.1) is the second best after Dhanmondi Lake.

The water of the Ramna Lake is the most polluted behind the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake. It has 700 counts of Coliform, 1.3 counts of DO, 25 counts of BOD and 6.52 counts of pH.

The Sitadel Lake in Baridhara has 6.91 counts of pH, 2.6 counts of BOD, 6.6 counts of DO and 500 counts of coliform.

Although DoE scientists did not test the water of Uttara Lake, officials however said its water was as polluted as the Gulshan-Baridhara lake.

With the standard of water in the capital's lakes deteriorating, a project proposal to upgrade the environment around the lakes lay idle with the Rajuk.