IIT-H hostel students grapple with water woes

 Hyderabad: Water supply issues continue to plague the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), with its newly-constructed hostel blocks facing a series of challenges. The situation escalated after the pump room of SV22 Hostel was submerged during heavy rain in the third week of July leaving students without access to hot water.

Despite interim measures, a lasting solution remains elusive.

The new hostel blocks, designed to accommodate the growing student  population, have faced setbacks due to the pump room's location at a lower level. With the onset of monsoons, rainwater found its way into the pump room, leading to submergence and hampering the proper functioning of water supply systems. Consequently, students have been grappling with the inconvenience of manually filling water tanks on the terrace, except for the overhead tanks that supply water to the geysers for hot water.

Students have also raised concerns about the quality of water filtration systems on the hostel premises. Students told Deccan Chronicle that well-functioning reverse osmosis (RO) filters have been substituted with sub-par filters, leading to a decline in water quality.

"This seems to be of higher consumption of water with a new batch having arrived in hostels recently. As a result of this, the less efficient filters have also resulted in increased wait times for filtered water, and longer maintenance gaps of existing filters," said a student.

Allegations have also emerged regarding the credibility of a recent water quality report. According to students, the report indicates that the water is not being adequately filtered, and some even complain of a taste reminiscent of paint. This revelation has added to the growing discontent among the student body, who demand immediate and effective solutions to water-related issues.

The administration is under increasing pressure to expedite the resolution process and ensure the well-being of the student community.

In response, director B.S. Murthy acknowledged the issue and shared that efforts are underway to rectify the situation. However, the process necessitates the expertise of a team located in Pune, causing further delay. The repair team is expected to arrive in Hyderabad, and the estimated timeline for resolving the matter is approximately a week. "The promise has been made earlier, we hope they stick to the deadline, " the students said, adding that the only permanent solution that ensures a similar problem doesn't arise during rains in October, is the waterproofing of the pump room beyond just temporary repair works.