Bengaluru Residents In Shock After 'Foul Smelling' Tap Water Detected At Homes: Report

Residents of Promenade Road in Bengaluru's Pulakeshinagar were left alarmed after detecting an unpleasant taste and odour in their tap water, sparking fears of contamination.

Independent tests carried out by locals confirmed the presence of E. coli bacteria, suggesting potential sewage infiltration, Deccan Herald reported.

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Following multiple complaints, officials from the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) examined the water supply system and uncovered a significant flaw-part of the Cauvery water pipeline had been laid through a stormwater drain.

Corrosion in sections of the pipe was identified as the likely cause of contamination, the report further stated.

In response, BWSSB swiftly shut down the faulty pipeline and provided an alternative water supply connection to the affected area.

Engineers have reassured residents that clean Cauvery water is now flowing through the newly installed pipeline.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru's dependence on groundwater has reached a critical point, with both Urban and Rural districts recording a staggering 100% extraction rate in 2024, according to the latest report by the Central Groundwater Board.

This indicates that the city is consuming groundwater at the same rate as it is replenished, leaving no reserves for future use, Times of India reported.

According to the report, while Karnataka's overall groundwater extraction stands at 68.4 per cent-keeping it within the "safe" category-experts have warned that the trend remains concerning.

The state's reliance on groundwater has been steadily increasing, with extraction levels rising from 66.3 per cent in 2023 to 68.4 per cent in 2024.