Water in Delhi found on toxic high on World Water Day 2011

The quality of drinking water in Delhi has gone from bad to worse, a study has revealed. The revelations — coming on the eve of World Water Day — have been made by Hazard Centre, a Delhi- based NGO. Two years ago, the same organisation had conducted a similar study and concluded that water provided to most residents in the Capital is unfit for consumption.

This time, Hazard Centre conducted the study at resettlement colonies in Bawana and Bhalaswa, which have a combined population of more than four lakh people. Officials from the NGO collected drinking water samples from the area two months ago. The samples were then sent for testing.

The results? All samples were found to contain dangerously high levels of pesticide and heavy metals. The levels were even higher than what was obtained in the previous study.

“ We will come up with the final report by April. It will contain additional details about the extent and toxicity of other pollutants present,” Hazard Centre director Dunu Roy said. “ There is no denying that things have gone from bad to worse.” Activists of the Bhalaswa Lok Shakti Manch, a women’s group which works among the community in Bhalaswa, don’t question the findings.

“ The water, which we receive through MCD ( Municipal Corporation of Delhi) pipelines, resembles the colour of cola. Sometimes it turns yellow,” Manch head Pushpa, who prefers to use only one name, said.

“ Most of the people in the area develop skin problems, diarrhoea and rashes drinking this water,” she said. Pushpa added that residents such as herself who have an option prefer to get drinking water from other parts of the Capital where the quality is relatively better.

In 2009, Hazard Centre and Water Aid India had jointly conducted a similar study, collecting water samples from 53 different locations across Delhi.

The findings threw up a shocker — the only people who got water fit for consumption were those who lived in Gokulpuri ( near Bhagirathi water treatment plant), Mahavir Vihar and Kanjhawala.

The rest of the Capital was consuming water laced with fluoride, which is present mostly in chemical waste emitted by factories. The samples also contained other harmful contaminants such as lead, arsenic and cadmium. Besides, 38 samples showed the presence of faecal bacteria, 10 others had high amounts of pesticides.

Also, many sites that were classified as getting good quality water by the Central Ground Water Board were found to be actually getting non- potable water in the report.