Rusted 40-year-old pipeline, leaking sewer caused water contamination in Bengaluru’s Lingarajapuram | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: A 40-year-old, rusted drinking water pipeline and a leaking sewage connection from one of the oldest houses in the layout were identified as the cause of water contamination in Lingarajapuram, after a robotic inspection by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Monday.The source of contamination was traced after residents of KSFC Layout, particularly along 3rd B Main Road, reported foul-smelling water and a spate of water-borne illnesses over the past few weeks. The robotic footage revealed that the existing cast iron (CI) water pipeline was severely corroded, while sewage leaked from a nearby house connection, allowing it to seep into the drinking water line.Following the findings, BWSSB began replacing the ageing CI pipeline on 3rd B Main Road with ductile iron (DI) pipes.Engineers explained that the sewage leak originated from a house that was among the earliest constructions in the layout. Its connection was a galvanised iron (GI) pipe — a material widely used decades ago but now prone to heavy corrosion. As both sewage and water pipelines were laid adjacent to each other, the rusted GI pipe allowed sewage to enter the water line.BWSSB advised over 30 houses in the affected stretch to replace their individual GI house connection pipes while the main pipeline replacement work was under way, to avoid repeated road-cutting and prevent future contamination. Residents were also informed that the cost of replacing the house connection pipes would have to be borne by them.Confirming the findings, BWSSB chairman Ram Prasath Manohar told TOI: “The pipeline is around 40 years old and that is how the mix-up occurred. I immediately instructed my team to remove the existing pipeline and replace it with new ones. There are multiple such ageing pipelines across the city, and we will take them up in a phased manner.”Residents, however, raised concerns over the lack of regular monitoring of water infrastructure. Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of the lane, said: “How are residents expected to know how old these pipes are or when they need replacement? BWSSB must carry out periodic checks, at least for drinking water lines. We’re being told to change our connection now, or it will be treated as a new connection later. I don’t want to risk my family’s health, so I’m getting it changed.“Sanchari Cauvery: The game changer Meanwhile, BWSSB’s ‘Sanchari Cauvery’ tanker service has played a crucial role in preventing a water crisis during the repair period. From Friday, free Cauvery water was supplied to the affected households, provided residents first cleaned and disinfected their contaminated sumps.An engineer at the site said the pipeline replacement work is expected to be completed by Tuesday evening, after which fresh Cauvery water would be released through the new pipeline. BWSSB also assured residents that tanker supply would continue until clean water flowed through the upgraded network.