Something in the water

Another of life‘s little mysteries spotted on the morning walk. No one was around, but water was gushing from this ‘thingy’ on the roadside and into the underground drains. What a waste. Then what looked like a beaten up old coffee cart turned up and dispensed not coffee, but disinfectant (extra).
I have no idea what is going on, but I don’t think we will be drinking the tap water.