Water ATM inaugurated at Ooty Lake and Boat House

As a first step towards overhauling the network of ineffective and inoperative water ATMs across the Nilgiris, the district Collector, Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, inaugurated a fully-automated water vending machine at the Ooty Lake and Boat House. The machine, provided by a private water company, will be maintained by women self-help groups in the district from Tuesday.

The Nilgiris district administration said that a total of 93 water ATMs were installed in the district following the ban on plastic water bottles a few years ago. Of these, 38 had become inoperative due to a lack of maintenance. There were also concerns over the cleanliness of the machines and their surroundings.

As part of the initiative to revamp the existing network of water ATMs, the district administration has partnered with Bisleri International Private Limited, which has provided five of the automated machines to be installed at the RCTC Hall along Garden Road, Mariamman Temple Street, Commercial Road and Ninth Mile Shooting Spot.

Moreover, the State Bank of India is also sponsoring five machines that will be installed in different locations across the district.

The Nilgiris Collector said the water ATMs will also provide hot water to tourists, while the self-help group members in the Nilgiris will be tasked with ensuring cleanliness around the stalls where the machines are kept. This will also provide a livelihood opportunity for the women, the Collector said. Bisleri International will also service the machines and repair them, if needed.

Tourists and the public, who wish to purchase water from the machines, will be charged ₹5 for half a litre and ₹10 for a litre, with payment also being accepted through scanning QR codes attached to the machines. Non-plastic water containers, made of glass, and flasks will also be sold at the kiosks.