Chennai's initiative to provide free drinking water through IoT-enabled water ATMs is struggling with poor maintenance and inconsistent water quality. Despite the installation of multi-stage purification systems across 50 high-footfall areas, residents report frequent shortages and a lack of trust in the water's taste. While officials claim the systems are under a three-year maintenance contract, the reality on the ground shows broken dispensers and a preference for bottled water. This highlights the gap between deploying sustainable infrastructure and ensuring the long-term operational reliability needed for public adoption.
