Reverse Osmosis (RO) Units in Dharwad District

defunct units being handed over for repair and revival

A total of 467 Reverse Osmosis (RO) units were established in Dharwad district to provide clean drinking water, especially in rural areas. These units were funded by government departments, non-government organizations, corporate houses through CSR, and local area development funds. However, 112 units have become defunct due to lack of maintenance and other issues. The zilla panchayat has handed over these units to local gram panchayats for repair and revival. Some units were maintained by private agencies, but many failed to maintain them properly, leading to the units becoming defunct. The rural drinking water supply department has blamed private agencies for the failure, citing unpaid electricity bills and poor maintenance. The maintenance responsibility is now being shifted to gram panchayats to ensure proper upkeep and revenue generation. Deposits of Rs 51 lakh from private agencies responsible for 52 units have been confiscated, and new tenders will be called for maintenance.