JOIN USThe Ramanagara Zilla Panchayat has submitted a proposal to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to take immediate steps to supply Cauvery water for drinking purposes to a few villages in Bidadi hobli where hazardous chemicals and bacteria have been found in the groundwater.
The decision to submit the proposal was taken after carefully studying the report of Ramanagara ZP laboratory, a senior officer in the district administration told Deccan Herald. The proposal says there is tremendous pressure from the villages to supply Cauvery water for drinking purposes to ensure community health. About two MLD (million litres per day) water is required for 12 villages and four MLD for 35 villages in the days to come, said the proposal.
The laboratory’s chemical analysis report, which has been endorsed by the Ramanagara ZP executive engineer, makes several shocking revelations. The study, which focused on 35 borewells under Bhairamangala gram panchayat limits, revealed that water is hard and contains hazardous chemicals such as nitrate, fluoride, chloride and iron contents higher than the prescribed level. Different types of bacteria have been noticed in 24 borewells, the report pointed out. Among the total 35 borewells under Bhairamangala gram panchayat limits, water in 23 is contaminated and yield from nine borewells could be used for limited purposes. Water in just three borewells is fit for consumption, the report added.
The study was conducted at the Mutt premises, Kempashettydoddi, Bennigeri’s Marvegowdanadoddi, Bhairamangala, Kempashettydoddi Colony, Chikkakuntanahalli, Joganapalya, Anchipura Colony, Anchipura, Kodihalli, Gopahalli, Uragahalli, Chunchuga, Chowkalli, Kallugopahalli, Huchachammanagudi, Annahalli, Sibbakatte, Jangamarapalya and Sanjeevaiahdoddi areas. The report attributed the pollution to the Vrishabhavathi river, which passes through Bhairamangala and surrounding areas, carrying with it a huge quantity of effluents, garbage and sullage.
The villagers are forced to depend on the borewell water for consumption in the absence of an alternative source. Those who can afford get purified and treated water. The contaminated water has adversely affected agriculture, horticulture, silk and dairy farming activities as well, the report stated.