Water-related problems rarely dominate a glossy property brochure. Yet **water supply, plumbing and seepage** can determine whether a Kolkata apartment is comfortable or expensive to maintain. A property inspection should move beyond checking that one tap runs. Buyers need to understand the supply source, storage capacity, pressure, wastewater handling and any evidence of persistent dampness.
Identify the actual water source
Ask whether a building uses municipal supply, a permitted groundwater source, tanker delivery, treatment systems or a combination. Availability and quality can vary from one property to another. Request the association's records on supply interruptions, water bills, pump maintenance and tanker dependence. A backup source is useful only if it is legally available, adequate and maintained. Check the tank capacity and whether its usage assumptions reflect occupied homes, not just unsold inventory.
Check pressure at more than one outlet
With permission, test taps and showers in the kitchen and bathrooms while another outlet is being used. Ask occupants whether pressure drops during morning or evening peak periods. For upper floors, inspect whether booster pumps or pressure-management systems are necessary and how failures are handled. Water supply may appear adequate in an empty demonstration apartment but behave differently once the building is fully occupied. Ask about pump electricity costs and servicing responsibilities.
Inspect plumbing, drainage and visible damp
Look underneath sinks, behind accessible plumbing panels, around toilet bases and near balconies. Water stains, soft plaster, peeling paint, musty odour or efflorescence can indicate a history of dampness; they do not prove the exact cause. Check bathroom falls and whether drains clear without backing up. Do not remove fixtures or undertake invasive tests without permission. For suspected hidden leaks, commission a qualified plumber or engineer to investigate and document findings.
Separate drinking water from general-use water
Water supplied for washing and flushing need not be treated identically to water intended for drinking. If drinking water safety is a concern, ask for laboratory testing relevant to India's **BIS IS 10500 drinking-water specification**, using a suitable accredited laboratory and sampling method. A home purifier's marketing claims are not a substitute for knowing the incoming water source or the service condition of communal treatment equipment. Seek current maintenance and test records rather than relying on historic opening-day certificates.
