The Rural Development Department will soon install water ATMs at four locations in Yercaud to address the demand of tourists for drinking water taps.

Tourists visiting the hill town claim that lack of public drinking water taps forces them to buy water bottles.

N. Hari of Dharmapuri, who visited Yercaud, said there are no public taps or other facilities for drinking water for the tourists. The water tanks located at the Yercaud bus stand and Ondikadai are empty. Without options, the tourists buy water bottles from the shops in the hill station. This is the situation in places around Yercaud too.

Officials attached to the Rural Development Department said open wells are the main source of drinking water in the hill station. Water ATMs will be installed in four places - toll plaza in Yercaud foothills, Kiliyur Junction, the boat house, and Anna Park - at ₹28 lakh. A minimum amount like ₹1 per litre of water will be fixed. Works for installing the water ATMs in three places will be completed by next week. It will take time to install the water ATM near the toll plaza as there are no water sources there and groundwater will be used, the officials added.