Sun Sep 14 11:20:27 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

A significant number (38 out of 96) of water ATMs in the Nilgiris district of India are currently inoperative due to sanitation concerns, design flaws, and location issues. These ATMs were initially installed to combat plastic water bottle waste after a ban on smaller bottles. To address the problem, the district administration is partnering with Bisleri International, a bottled water company that has benefited from the ban. Bisleri is providing new, more hygienic water ATMs dispensing their own brand of water and assisting with plastic waste collection. Local self-help groups will be responsible for maintaining the new machines and generating income from them. The initiative aims to replace the faulty ATMs, improve access to clean drinking water, and promote environmental sustainability.

**News Article:**

**Nilgiris Tackles Water ATM Crisis with Bisleri Partnership**

**UDHAGAMANDALAM, September 14, 2025** – A significant number of water ATMs intended to combat plastic waste in the Nilgiris district are out of service, prompting the local administration to partner with bottled water giant Bisleri International to revitalize the initiative. Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru confirmed that 38 of the 96 water ATMs installed across the district are currently inoperative, citing concerns about sanitation, design flaws, and inconvenient locations as primary reasons for their disuse.

The water ATMs were initially implemented following a ban on plastic water bottles under five liters, aiming to provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for residents and tourists. However, public apprehension regarding the cleanliness of the installations has hindered their success.

“Most of the water ATMs are in a non-functional state because there are some design flaws and also hygiene issues because the water tank is up above eight feet and we are not able to clean them properly and people are hesitant to drink from them,” said Ms. Tanneeru.

Now, Bisleri International, which has seen increased demand for its five-liter bottles following the ban, is stepping in to address the crisis. The company is not only assisting with plastic waste collection by paying local panchayats for collected bottles but is also providing five new, portable water ATMs that dispense Bisleri-branded water.

“Bisleri… took it upon themselves to help us in two ways. One, they are trying to collect all the plastic bottles that we are collecting at the check-post and paying a small amount to the local panchayat as a kind of a buy-back scheme and secondly, they are helping us with new, portable water ATMs that dispense their brand of water to the public,” said the Collector.

The district administration plans to task local self-help groups (SHGs) and market associations with maintaining the new machines, allowing them to generate income while providing a valuable service. The success of these new ATMs could pave the way for replacing the older, faulty systems across the district. Officials are also committed to strategically relocating ATMs to areas with higher foot traffic, particularly tourist destinations, to maximize their utility.

This partnership represents a renewed effort to provide access to clean drinking water, reduce plastic waste, and support local livelihoods in the Nilgiris.

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