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.
