A disturbing case of suspected sewage contamination in Bengaluru's KSFC Layout has left a family traumatised and ill, raising serious questions about the city's water safety protocols and the responsiveness of its water board.
A Family's Traumatic Discovery
For Naveen Picardo, a resident of a lane behind 3rd B Main Road in KSFC Layout, the memory of December 22, 2025, remains painfully vivid. "The image of that bucket of water I saw that night is still in my mind," he recounted. "No matter how clean the water looks now, every time I go to shower or wash a plate, it haunts me." The ordeal began earlier in the month when his family first noticed a foul smell during showers on December 1. Upon checking their sump, they observed a change in the water's colour.
Initially dismissing it as a minor issue, they cleaned the sump and continued using the water. However, their health soon began to deteriorate. Family members suffered from high fever, stomach infections, and diarrhoea. The horrifying confirmation came late on December 22 when Naveen, while showering, spotted what he described as faecal-like matter in the water. "I was completely taken aback. I just cannot erase that image from my mind. It caused immense mental stress and even pushed up my blood pressure," he said. To make contamination visible, Naveen had painted his sump white. "That night, the water was completely grey. I couldn't even see the bottom," he recalled.
Failed Complaints and Delayed Response
Naveen immediately filed a complaint with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) via its mobile app that same night. Despite his urgent alert, no official visited his house, and the complaint status was inexplicably marked as 'closed'. A BWSSB staffer collected a water sample the following day, but as of now, Naveen has received no feedback or test results.
Although Naveen's suspicions began weeks earlier, the issue gained wider attention only in the past week when other residents along 3rd B Main Road reported similar problems. This delay has spotlighted critical failures in the water quality monitoring and response mechanisms. Medical reports from Naveen's family, accessed by TOI, confirm that their illnesses were caused by contaminated water.
Residents Demand Proactive Safety Measures
The incident has sparked anger and fear among locals, who are now demanding systemic change. "Why should BWSSB act only after someone falls ill or worse, dies?" questioned Naveen. Another resident, Sanjeev, emphasised the consumer's right to safe water. "Despite Naveen complaining earlier, nothing was addressed. We realised something was wrong only after health issues began," he said.
Tharun, a neighbour who suffered severe diarrhoea, said he initially blamed food or weather. "I never imagined such contamination could happen," he stated, suggesting that BWSSB should initiate random checks or provide citizens with basic testing tools. As a precaution, Naveen's family has drawn an extension from their water line. They now first collect water in a bucket to inspect its colour and smell before allowing it into their sump.
While Naveen's house, situated at the start of the lane near vacant plots, was the only one to report confirmed health issues, the scare has renewed urgent calls for routine BWSSB checks. Residents insist that such proactive measures are essential to prevent isolated lapses from escalating into full-blown public health crises.
