Most residents of Mysore are supplied water from Kaveri and Kabini rivers. Water from these rivers is chlorinated and pumped into large reservoirs such as the Yadavagiri High Level Reservoir and Vijayanagar Central Storage Reservoir. From these large reservoirs, water is pumped into overhead tanks all over Mysore and these overhead tanks supply water to the consumers. With the supply of water being not reliable or regular, many consumers also have sumps and overhead tanks in their houses to store water. As a result, water is stored in 4 levels of storage before it reaches the tap of the consumer.
If proper precautions are not taken, water can get contaminated at each level of storage. The storage tanks have to be cleaned at least twice a year with liberal use of bleaching powder so that acuumulation of sediments and other dirt is checked and slime (algae) that is formed on the walls is removed.. No sunlight should be permitted to enter the tanks, since in the presence of sediment and sunlight algae grow vigorously and this promotes the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Despite the great importance of keeping the tanks clean, reservoirs and overhead tanks of VVWW are rarely cleaned. But the residents of Mysore can help the cause of their health by keeping their sumps and overhead tanks clean and sunlight-proof. Black plastic sheets can be used to cover the lids of the sumps and overhead tanks so that sunlight is kept completely out. Consumers should not feel complacent just because they drink boiled or aquaguard water. If the stored water is contaminated, washing or rinsing utensils in such water may cause infection
Prof. A. Ramalingam, Mysore Grahakara Parishat