The mines and geology department has found that 80 per cent of the groundwater in Bangalore is contaminated with nitrates, fluorides, chromium, lead, aluminum and copper besides bacteria.

It is a no win situation in some localities that are having to do without piped water supply. The tankers which meet the needs of people in many neighbourhoods in the northern, western and eastern parts of the city which can no longer depend on a fast drying up TG Halli reservoir, is unfit for drinking.

The matter has come to the notice of city corporators, several of whom are now demanding action against tankers supplying contaminated water. With doctors in the city reporting an increasing number of water-borne diseases like hepatitis A, E, typhoid, and gastroenteritis, the problem obviously requires some urgent attention.

It is no surprise that several tankers are supplying contaminated water as they largely depend on borewells, which are not in the best of condition. The mines and geology department has found that 80 per cent of the groundwater in the city is contaminated with nitrates, fluorides, chromium, lead, aluminum and copper besides bacteria.

Such chemical impurities can even cause irreversible changes in the skin, brain, liver and kidneys over a period of time, warns Dr Seemanthini Desai, consultant microbiologist and infection control officer, Apollo International Hospital. Dr Sudarshan Ballal, head, Manipal Institute of Nephrology and Urgology, says groundwater, which is hard due to its calcium content, can lead to kidney stones if consumed without adequate treatment. Dr Umesh Guptha, medical director, Apollo Hospital, too warns that unless tanker water is treated it may not be safe for drinking as no one knows how long it has been stored, or if it has been filtered before supply.

Read More on: Deccan Chronicle