Poor Pipe Maintenance Pollutes Bengaluru Drinking Water

For several days, families living on a quiet stretch of 3rd ‘B’ Main Road in KSFC Layout, Lingarajapuram, Bengaluru, thought their frequent stomach problems were due to seasonal illness or food poisoning. Many residents reported vomiting, diarrhoea, and other gut-related issues, but did not suspect a serious problem at first.

The real cause became clear only when residents noticed foul-smelling, frothy water coming from their taps. Soon after, they also found thick, dark silt settling in their underground water sumps. These signs confirmed their fears that sewage had mixed with the drinking water supply.

The water contamination has affected around 30 to 40 households along a single lane in the KSFC Layout, which falls under the North City Corporation limits. Residents say the problem has caused severe inconvenience and health concerns, especially for children and elderly people.

After repeated complaints from residents, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) stepped in and stopped the piped water supply to the area as a safety measure. As a result, families are now fully dependent on private water tankers for their daily needs, adding to their expenses and hardship.

Residents have urged civic authorities to identify the source of the sewage leak and fix the issue quickly. They are also demanding that the water pipelines be cleaned and tested before regular supply is restored, to ensure safe drinking water and prevent further health risks.