<p>The state government’s proposal to extract water from underground rivers by going in for deep subterranean exploration has come in for flak from some of its own agencies.<br /><br />India unit of US-based company WaterQuest Hydroresources Management has proposed to locate underground hydrological resources hundreds of feet below the ground level and use its deep drilling expertise to extract water. <br /><br />“It is important to check the quality of water. At several places deep underground water is contaminated with fluoride or arsenic content,” Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre Director G S Srinivasa Reddy said. He pointed out that such projects could create ecological imbalance. “Besides, what if the water extracted after spending crores of rupees is unfit for drinking?” he asked.<br /><br />Another scientist, who did not want to be named, said an expert committee should be constituted to study the scientific implications of the project. A company representative said similar projects have been executed in other countries with a success rate of 98%.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The state government’s proposal to extract water from underground rivers by going in for deep subterranean exploration has come in for flak from some of its own agencies.<br /><br />India unit of US-based company WaterQuest Hydroresources Management has proposed to locate underground hydrological resources hundreds of feet below the ground level and use its deep drilling expertise to extract water. <br /><br />“It is important to check the quality of water. At several places deep underground water is contaminated with fluoride or arsenic content,” Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre Director G S Srinivasa Reddy said. He pointed out that such projects could create ecological imbalance. “Besides, what if the water extracted after spending crores of rupees is unfit for drinking?” he asked.<br /><br />Another scientist, who did not want to be named, said an expert committee should be constituted to study the scientific implications of the project. A company representative said similar projects have been executed in other countries with a success rate of 98%.<br /><br /></p>
