603 plaints of water contamination in 2013

 The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has received as many as 603 complaints of water contamination this year.

Old and corroded lines which are frequently clogged, and haphazard laying of water and sanitary lines are reasons cited by the Board for the contamination.

Some of the worst-affected in the City are residents of HBR Layout, 5th Block, where many people have taken ill after consuming water which was mixed with sewage water.
Dr Gopal K, a resident, said: “The water and sewage pipelines run parallel to each other. We suspect that the water lines were damaged, which was what caused the contamination of water. Although BWSSB officials visited the spot, they were unable to identify the source of contamination. There is now an immediate need to replace the water pipelines.”

Residents of Lakshmipuram in Ulsoor on CMH Road are also facing similar problems. Tap water in this locality is black in colour and has a foul smell.

“I have written several times to many BWSSB officials, including the chairman, but there has been no response. The pipelines are laid unscientifically, as is evident from a pipe bend at one of the lines on 18th ‘A’ Cross, which is the main cause of contamination. We would like senior engineers from the BWSSB to inspect our locality,” said Shanmuganathan, a resident of Lakshmipuram.

Those living in the vicinity of Garuda Mall also receive supply of contaminated water due to the ongoing drain construction.

‘No permanent solution’

Pradeep Chandran, a resident of Magrath Road in Ashoknagar, says that the water he receives at home is dark-coloured and resembles sewage water in appearance and odour.

“For the past one year, there have been several episodes of water contamination. Though the BWSSB official attends to our query, there is no permanent solution,” he added.

Reacting to the contamination complaints, BWSSB’s engineer-in-chief T Venkataraju, said that contamination mainly happens at house service connections and not in the main water lines.

“There are many house service connections which need replacement, but the residents are not willing to spend on it and say it is the Board’s fault.

Contamination happens at places which are thickly populated and where there are numerous lines cutting each other. If the contamination happens through BWSSB’s pipelines and residents approach us, we will replace them immediately,” he added.