Periyapatna:  Drinking water crisis has severely affected the Fire Station Department in the town as borewells which are the  main source of water for the staff quarters as well for the fire extinguishers is damaged.

There are 16 staff in the Department who are residing along with their families at 14 residential quarters in the premises.

The metal pipes laid to supply water from borewells are rusted and black water coming out of it forcing the Department staff to depend on alternative source of for water. The families of these staff are using borewell water to prepare food, drinking and for household chores.

Though the Department staff had brought the problem to the notice of higher authorities of the Department for replacing the rusted metal pipes and despite  Department official Bharath Kumar from Mysuru inspecting the damaged borewell pipes recently following complaints many days ago, the problem is yet to be sorted out.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Fire Station Officer Venkatesh said that about Rs. 20,000 is needed for the replacement of the rusted metal pipes.

He added that he had written a letter to the higher officials of his Department to sanction funds  for the work. As there was a delay in sanctioning the funds, the Department staff are forced to bear the brunt of drinking water problem.

He said the staff and their families were collecting water from the neighbouring Town Municipal Council (TMC) borewell to meet their drinking water and household needs at present.

Though the TMC had ensured water facility to the Fire Station Department, the irregular supply of water has affected the work of the Department in fire extinguishing operations as the TMC releases water for one hour once in a week.

“The Department staff are collecting water from nearby lakes and ponds in case of fire tragedies for extinguishing operation. Various plants planted in the Department premises are also drying up due to shortage of water,” he said  

Venkatesh urging the higher officials of the Department to solve the water problem immediately said that he has also written another letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of Town Municipal Council to ensure alternate water supply connection exclusively to the Fire and Emergency Services Department.