The Hindu              04.09.2013

Water in 169 borewells not potable, HC told

Water in 169 borewells in the 110 villages that are now part of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not suitable for drinking, BBMP told the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BBMP said there are 599 borewells under its jurisdiction in these areas, which were part of the erstwhile 110 villages, and water samples of 538 borewells were tested. The results indicate that water in 169 borewells is not potable due to contamination.

Water in 369 borewells is fit for drinking and test results of samples of the remaining borewells is awaited, added the statement.

Meanwhile, counsel for the BBMP told a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice B.V. Nagarathna that it would not supply water from these 169 borewells for drinking purpose.

The BBMP said the public would be intimated that water from these borewells cannot be used for drinking but for other purposes.

The BBMP, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the State government have told the Bench that they would conduct a meeting to find alternative means to supply potable water to these areas.

The Bench was hearing a public interest litigation petition initiated suo motu based on reports published in newspapers on contaminated water. The Bench will hear the petition again on September 18.