Siddapura residents getting contaminated water, children suffering health issues

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The issue of water shortage popping up during summer is common. However, residents of Siddapura in Chickpet Assembly constituency have complained of receiving contaminated water.

They have blamed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for its negligence, which they say, has led many of them to seek treatment at hospitals and even get admitted after consuming the contaminated water. The locals have claimed that the Cauvery water they receive is mixed with sewage water, obvious in the foul smell that emanates from it. They have also said that the authorities concerned have been informed about the issue. However, they have not been resolved.

Constituency MLA Uday Garudachar has said that he had received 7-8 complaints and held meetings with the BWSSB officials in order to resolve the issue. But before action could be taken, the model code of conduct was announced and now, the officials have asked him to wait for 45 days, he said.

A resident of the area claimed that her daughter succumbed to poor health conditions created by constant consumption of the contaminated water. She added that despite being admitted for diarrhoea and vomiting, the consistent attacks led to the death. She further said that there are over 510 houses in Siddapura and many children in the locality complain of health issues.

Another resident noted that the water is paid for, yet the first one-and-half hours of the supply it has a foul smell and is unusable. While the inspection of the water quality has taken place, no action has been taken to fix the problem.