Mandya: In apparent disregard for safety norms, a drinking water plant has been installed right underneath an overhead tank in Besagarahalli, roughly 20km from Mandya city. The plant in question has been installed by the Besagarahalli GP authorities with funds allocated under the ‘Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana’ initiative. Sources said that the drinking water unit had been set up without either the public works or the environment department issuing a safety clearance certificate.
Sumalatha is scheduled to inaugurate the drinking water unit on Saturday.
Holes drilled into the pillars supporting the overhead tank have raised the hackles of the residents and government authorities, who fear the damage it may cause to the stability of the tank.
In violation of safety rules
The rules pertaining to the setting up of a drinking water unit clearly stipulate that any connection to a tap from an overhead tank must be at least 300ft from the structure. This norm is in place in order to prevent dust flushed out while cleaning of the overhead tank do not accumulate on the valves and tanks, thereby running the risk of the drinking water in the plant getting polluted. Thus, the drinking water unit underneath the overhead tank, is likely to discharge water that may not be entirely safe to drink.