Thane To Face 24 Hour Water Supply Disruption On July 22 To 23
Delhi’s Janakpuri residents are grappling with a persistent public health crisis as a recent report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed severe contamination in drinking water samples. Five out of six samples collected from Janakpuri’s A block in West Delhi tested positive for Total Coliform and alarming levels of E. Coli, indicating sewage infiltration. This concerning discovery comes despite strict directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to rectify the long-standing issue, first highlighted earlier this year by local residents through a formal plea.
The latest CPCB report, submitted to the NGT on July 15, indicates that sewage continues to impact drinking water quality, a problem initially flagged in February. An earlier CPCB report in May had found that approximately 30%, or six out of 20 samples collected across the area, contained E. Coli and faecal coliform. Following this, the NGT had previously reprimanded the DJB for its failure to provide clean water and for inaction stretching over nearly three months despite repeated complaints. In an order dated May 30, the tribunal further directed the water utility to supply uncontaminated drinking water to affected residents through alternative sources until the contamination issue was fully resolved. This also included an order for fresh sampling on June 30 at six specific households.
For the June 30 sampling, the CPCB collected water samples from five houses; residents of the sixth house declined, leading to a sample being collected from another house within the same block. The report explicitly stated, “Total Coliform and E. Coli have been detected in 05 samples,” with E. Coli levels ranging from 7.8 Most Probable Number per 100 ml to a staggering 280,000 units per 100 ml. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 10500:2012), drinking water samples should not detect Total Coliform or E. Coli in 100ml. Local residents lament that they frequently resort to buying bottled water, as the supplied water often smells foul, chokes their purifiers, and even makes bathing challenging. They currently rely on DJB water tankers and hope for a long-term solution. The DJB has stated it will formally respond to the NGT’s submission, previously indicating that corroded, 40-year-old water and sewer pipelines in the area are the root cause, necessitating their complete replacement for a permanent fix.
The persistent contamination of drinking water in Janakpuri highlights critical infrastructure deficiencies and raises serious public health concerns. Despite judicial directives, the issue underscores the urgent need for comprehensive overhauls of aging water and sewage networks. Ensuring access to clean water is fundamental, demanding swift and decisive action from authorities to protect residents’ well-being and restore confidence in public services.
