Water tanker operators often fail to produce adequate lab test results confirming water quality
Photo for representation: iStock As Bengaluru grapples with the most severe drinking water crisis in history, the reliance on private water tankers has surged. However, the situation has opened a Pandora’s box of exploitation and uncertainty, leaving residents at the mercy of unregulated suppliers and compromised water quality. About 600 water supply firms have a fleet of over 1,600 tankers that crisscross the city through the day supplying water to the colonies and multistorey buildings.
In many new apartment complexes across the city, residents find themselves beholden to water tanker operators, fearing repercussions if they dare question the quality or pricing of the water provided. A committee member overseeing water management at Springfield Apartment on Sarjapur Road voiced the common sentiment: “We are at the mercy of water tanker people. If they stop providing water, we will be in trouble.”
Despite efforts to regulate the industry, authorities in Bengaluru have fallen short. The Ground Water Authority, established in 2011, was tasked with monitoring private water suppliers and enforcing guidelines on pricing, quality testing and licensing.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Executive engineers, responsible for monitoring water tankers in their areas, need to be made aware of their duties, rather than passing the buck between different agencies like Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.
One of the most concerning aspects is the lack of clarity regarding the source of water. Tankers draw water from various sources, including borewells near lakes, paddy fields, private residences and even burial grounds. The potential for contamination is alarmingly high, with experts warning about the risks associated with sourcing water from areas like burial grounds, where pollutants may seep into the groundwater.
Despite these risks, water tanker operators often fail to produce adequate lab test results confirming water quality. Even when such results are provided, they are often vague, leaving consumers in the dark about the safety of the water they are receiving.
In the core areas of Bengaluru (old municipality area before 1965), there are some dug wells owned by individuals. These were in disuse after the Cauvery II stage pipeline was laid and water started flowing to Bengaluru from the reservoir in Mandya district. These were the wells that are holding water even now and the owners have allowed the tanker owners to draw water from them. “It goes without saying that it comes at a cost, but many owners are obliging only their neighbours; if things go worse, we might even take over those wells to ensure equitable distribution in the areas of their locations, said a senior official of BWSSB. But that is a long-drawn process and may need magisterial intervention,” the official said.
The escalating prices of tanker water further exacerbate the crisis. With borewells drying up within the city limits, tanker operators have to travel longer distances to source water, driving up costs. As a result, prices have skyrocketed, making it increasingly unaffordable for many residents. However, the state government took a bold decision and capped the prices of tankers carrying 6,000-12,000 litres per parcel at Rs 800-1,500 per parcel.
The situation is particularly dire in underdeveloped areas like Kudlu village, where residents, mostly economically disadvantaged, rely heavily on tanker water. Lack of access to clean water poses significant health risks, with reports of frequent gastrointestinal diseases and diarrhoea attributed to poor water quality.
The city doctors are flooded with complaints of E coli, and other gastro-intestinal infections. The general practitioners in the city pointed out that this was due to the unclean water and mainly due to faecal matter present in the water.
As Bangaloreans grapple with the ramifications of an increasingly precarious water supply, the need for sustainable solutions and responsible governance has never been more apparent. Without decisive action, the city’s water woes are poised to escalate, posing a threat to the health and well-being of its residents.
After a week since the water woes of the metropolis got worse, the people are now asking questions. If the tankers are getting water, why isn’t the corporation? “The corporation has laid over 1,200 kilometres of pipelines in the city. I must say it is commendable. We are still in the dark about whether the Cauvery river water is still being lifted or not, and whether the reservoir in Thippagondanahalli is operational or not. We have every reason to question the government, and also, suspicions have started gathering in our minds on whether the government is dancing to the tunes of the tanker lobby. Is the government giving leeway to the tanker lobby to recover the funding they might have given to the political parties during the elections in 2023?” said Resident Welfare Association President Rame Gowda of RPC layout of the Vijayanagar extension.
Similar concerns were raised by the members of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Yelchenahalli, BEML Layout, Mico Layout, West of Chord Road, Mahalakshmi Layout, Rajajinagar entrance, Yeshwanthpuram, Marathhalli, and many others.
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