Residents of Bengaluru's Lingarajapuram area endured over two weeks of foul-smelling, discoloured water and a spate of illnesses before authorities finally cracked the case using cutting-edge robotic technology. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) identified a 40-year-old, severely corroded sewage pipe as the culprit, which was leaking waste into the drinking water supply.
A Neighborhood Falls Ill
The crisis on 3rd B Main Road in Lingarajapuram's KSFC Layout came to light after residents started reporting sickness. More than 30 households were affected, with many suffering from symptoms like fever, attributed to food poisoning from the contaminated water.
"The water was visibly contaminated," said Krishna R, a local resident, noting that the problem escalated over a fortnight. Another resident, Pushpa K Acharya, highlighted the aging infrastructure, stating, "The pipes should have been replaced a long time ago, and there has been no regular check." In response to the complaints, the BWSSB took the critical step of suspending the water supply to the area last Friday to prevent further illness.
Robotic Sleuths Pinpoint the Problem
To swiftly locate the source of the contamination, BWSSB officials deployed advanced robotic inspection technology, supported by ground teams. This high-tech investigation revealed the root cause: a galvanised-iron sewage pipeline from one of the area's oldest houses had rusted through completely.
Since the sewage and drinking water lines ran side-by-side, the breach allowed raw sewage to infiltrate the potable water supply. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar confirmed the leak was pinpointed around 10:30 AM on Monday. "We are replacing the rusted pipe. It has been found that the pipe was 40 years old and had corroded," Manohar stated.
Repairs, Replacements, and a Tanker Lifeline
The BWSSB has initiated a comprehensive repair operation. The aging cast-iron main pipeline along 3rd B Main Road is being replaced with modern ductile iron pipes. Authorities have also advised affected families to replace their individual galvanised iron connection pipes during this main upgrade to prevent future crises and avoid repeated road excavations. Residents will bear the cost of these private connection replacements.
The water supply, shut off since last Friday, is expected to resume once the new pipeline is laid. Site engineers aim to complete the work by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, after which fresh Cauvery water will flow through the new system.
During the outage, the BWSSB's 'Sanchari Cauvery' tanker service provided a crucial lifeline, delivering free water to affected households. This supply was contingent on residents first cleaning and disinfecting their contaminated water sumps.
