residents of Tannery Road in Bangalore are facing a potable water crisis because tanneries located in the area are polluting the groundwater. Untreated hazardous sludge from these units blocks sewers resulting in the seepage of effluents into the ground, a report published in the Deccan Herald said . This has resulted in contamination of groundwater.

A study, conducted by the Centre for Symbiosis of Technology, Environment and Management, Bangalore and two other organisations, has warned that the city ranks high on the hazardous waste generation list. The report adds that sludge mixed with used chemicals from the tanneries is sent to the central effluent treatment plant ( cetp) which generates solid wastes in the form of scrap leather. The cetp itself is a source of hazardous wastes since sludge produced by it also spills over.

Since many of these plants do not pay their bills, the cetp staff blocks the inflow pipes from the defaulting units. Untreated water is then drained into sewers. This has been brought to the notice of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board but these units continue to operate and pollute.