Approval must for private Water Purification Plants

Complaints of foul-smelling water, drinking water crisis raised at MGP meeting

Mysore/Mysuru: Private Drinking Water Purification Plants can no longer be set up without mandatory approval from local authorities, clarified Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) Assistant Executive Engineer (East) S.L. Ravikumar.

He was speaking during a public interaction organised by the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) at its office on Vivekananda Road in Yadavagiri on Sunday evening. The monthly meeting focused on the shortage of drinking water facilities in apartments and layouts across the city and its outskirts.

During the discussion, participants expressed concern over several privately operated water purification units in and around Mysuru allegedly mixing chemicals to prevent  water spoilage.

Members said, water supplied from some of these units developed foul odour within two days of storage. Participant Rajesh urged the District Administration to take immediate action.

Responding to the concerns, Ravikumar said private operators must obtain permission from Local Bodies before establishing Purification Plants. He added that authorities had already received complaints regarding foul-smelling water and notices had been issued to two such units.

Water scarcity in CMC areas

Residents also sought drinking water supply to Trendz Villas in Bogadi. Ravikumar clarified that issues concerning areas outside the city limits come under the jurisdiction of the District Administration and not VVWW.

Participants pointed out that apartment complexes in Srirampura, Bogadi Town Panchayat and Hootagalli City Municipal Council (CMC) limits are facing severe drinking water shortage, with residents demanding immediate supply from Kabini or Cauvery sources.

Participants also highlighted persistent problems in Mysuru city’s underground drainage (UGD) network. They said, rain frequently leads to blockages, causing sewage to overflow onto roads. Members observed that layouts on the city’s outskirts are facing even more serious issues relating to both UGD and drinking water supply.

Suggestions were made to replace the old UGD network through a desilting-based modernisation system to prevent recurring blockages.

Members warned that unless outdated rod-based pipeline systems are replaced, the problems would continue.

Mysore Grahakara Parishat member Vishwanath said, water scarcity has become severe in Rammanahalli Town Panchayat limits and called for urgent intervention.

The meeting urged the District Administration to address the worsening drinking water and drainage crisis in Mysuru’s peripheral areas.

Among those present were Mysore Grahakara Parishat Working President S.K. Dinesh, Secretary Prabha Nandish and members T.R. Ravindran, Rajesh, K.V. Banu Prashanth, Mansoor Arif, S. Shailajesha, Lakshmish, Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, D.V. Dayananda Sagar, M. Venkatesh Rao, P. Rakesh, Ravishankar Bale, Santosh, R. Gururaj, V.S. Sethuram, S. Shobha, S. Satish, Rajanna, Chandrashekar, Madhu, Kumaraswamy, Atmananda, B.V. Bevinakatte and M. Shivakumar.