Health concern
BENGALURU
Foul-smelling, discoloured water caused by sewage contamination has left residents of KSFC Layout in Lingarajapuram, under North City Corporation limits, alarmed and switching to private water sources for over a week. About 30-40 households have reported frequent illnesses in recent months, with some requiring hospitalisation for suspected water-borne infections. Residents of 3rd ‘B’ Main have urged the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to urgently trace the source and restore safe drinking water, fearing a public health crisis similar to incidents in Indore.
The problem went unnoticed for weeks, as early symptoms were mistaken for seasonal illness or food poisoning. The scale of contamination became apparent this week when residents noticed frothy, foul-smelling water and thick layers of dark sewage sludge in underground sumps. “When we opened the sump, it wasn’t just dirty water—it was stinking sewage sludge,” said Paul Newman, a resident. Families reported gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, prompting complaints to BWSSB.
Shamala, another resident, said the water had worsened over time. “Initially, dirty water would flow briefly, then turn clear. Now, it’s completely foul-smelling and unusable. We didn’t want to take the risk and started buying water from outside,” she said.
BWSSB officials inspected the area following complaints and confirmed sewage had mixed with the potable water pipeline at an unidentified point. Residents allege that authorities have yet to pinpoint the exact breach and are digging in multiple locations in a trial-and-error effort. The contamination is believed to have affected over 30 homes along a single lane, though locals fear the impact could be wider. Treating doctors reportedly confirmed that the illnesses were consistent with water contamination, underscoring the urgent need for remedial action.
Residents continue to demand swift resolution and regular updates, warning that prolonged exposure could lead to a more serious public health emergency if the source of contamination is not fixed promptly.
