Sankey tank (Kannada:ಸ್ಯಾಂಕಿ ಕೆರೆ), a manmade lake or tank, is situated in the western part of Bangalore in the middle of the neighbourhoods of Malleshwaram, Vyalikaval and Sadashivanagar. The lake covers an area of about . At its widest, the tank has a width of . Sankey tank was constructed by Col. Richard Hieram Sankey (RE) of the Madras Sappers Regiment, in 1882, to meet the water supply demands of Bangalore. The tank was also known as Gandhadhakotikere, as the Government Sandalwood Depot used to be located near the lake. History Sankey reservoir was constructed in 1882. It was linked to the Miller's tank and Dharmambudhi tank and was built as a safeguard against water shortages, such as that experienced in the Great Famine of 1876–78. The quality of water was not very good and when Governor of Madras visited Bangalore on July 1888. A local wit commented, "The men who are thrown off their horses and killed on the spot at Bangalore are the only ones that are allowed by doctors not to have died from drinking bad water". Threats The threats posed to the survival of the lake, which were also identified by the local people (morning joggers) using the lake, refer to: Contamination of water with sewage flowing in from seven points, which are connected to storm water drains Choked drains with garbage and sewage Leaking sewage pipes connected to a public toilet at a park Decrease in the biological oxygen demand and high BOD content due to sewage Threats to fish and plants. During the tests conducted in 2001 also the DO was reported to vary from 3.7 to 8.1, BOD between 2 and 8 and the pH varied from 7.1 to 7.5. Reduction number of ducks, fish and migratory birds due to polluted condition of the lake waters Restoration actions The tank was converted into a park by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) with funds provided by the Government of Karnataka. In addition, the following were also implemented. Removing encroachments Alum purification treatment to absorb toxic elements and germs Nursery towards the north Paved walkways Landscaped parks Special tank for idol immersion during Ganesh Chaturthi festival Restoration of swimming pool Legal land encroachment tangle In 2004, local builders’ proposal to construct a multistory building in the Sankey tank bed was challenged by petitioners in the Karnataka