The scheme involves installation of large reverse osmosis and overhead osmosis defluoridation tanks

Out of the 56,862 villages and hamlets in Karnataka, about 21,000 are getting water containing harmful chemicals and about 5,838 villages and hamlets getting water contaminated with fluoride.

In view of this toxicity, Karnataka is implementing a programme at an estimated cost of Rs20 crore to ensure fluoride-free water.

The scheme involves installation of large reverse osmosis and overhead osmosis defluoridation tanks depending on the size of the water source and human population. About 100 reverse osmosis defluoridation tanks, costing Rs10 lakh each, with a capacity to pump 30,000 litres a day have been purchased and are being installed in the villages in Kolar, Chikballapur, Tumkur, Pavagada, Davangere, Chitradurga and Gadag. Plans are also afoot to install about 100 overhead osmosis defluoridation tanks costing Rs2.5 lakh each. The Karnataka Government also proposes to provide 50,000 households water filters to families and groups of people at subsidised rates of Rs1,500-2,500 each.

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