Over 500 Residents Fall ill Due to Contaminated Water in Greater Noida

A severe health crisis has emerged in Greater Noida West, as nearly 500 residents of the Ajnara Homes Society in Sector 16B have fallen ill within the span of two days.

The sudden surge in cases, which includes symptoms such as vomiting, stomach aches, and diarrhoea, has raised alarm about the potential contamination of the society’s water supply. The high-rise society, home to approximately 8,000 residents, has seen children and elderly individuals most affected by the outbreak. Residents have expressed grave concern, linking the widespread illnesses to the water supply, which they claim has long been plagued by poor maintenance and contamination. With nearly 500 people reporting symptoms, the issue has taken a serious turn, particularly as several individuals have required hospitalisation due to the severity of their conditions. The situation has quickly escalated, prompting intervention from local health authorities.

Ajnara Homes, which consists of 2,200 flats spread across 15 towers, has been dealing with persistent water quality issues for some time. Recently, however, the situation appears to have worsened. A resident of the society noted that their entire family fell ill after consuming the water, and doctors suspect the cause is contamination. This has led to residents raising alarms over the condition of water tanks, which they believe are inadequately maintained, contributing to the problem. In particular, towers M, J, K, and A have been identified as the most affected, though complaints have spread to other parts of the society as well. The apartment owners’ association (AOA) has been in communication with both the Greater Noida Authority and local health department officials to address the health crisis. They claim that the situation has reached a critical point, with numerous families experiencing symptoms associated with waterborne diseases. One resident stated that the family’s condition improved after switching to bottled water, further suggesting that the issue lies with the society’s water supply.

To mitigate the situation, a temporary health camp has been set up by the AOA in collaboration with two private hospitals. As of the most recent update, more than 60 residents have been treated for symptoms of diarrhoea. Meanwhile, health officials from the Greater Noida Authority, along with the district health department, visited the site to assess the situation. Water samples were collected for analysis, and the reports are expected to shed light on the contamination issue. Local authorities have assured residents that the situation will be closely monitored, with additional medical support provided as needed. In response to the allegations, the maintenance head of Ajnara Homes denied any negligence on part of the society’s management. He suggested that the illnesses may have been caused by food contamination during a recent community feast held on Ram Navami, pointing to uncleanly prepared food as a possible trigger for the outbreak. However, residents have countered this explanation, highlighting the fact that many people have fallen ill after consuming only the society’s water supply, which has been the only common denominator among those affected.

This alarming incident follows a series of similar outbreaks in the region. In February, several residents of Ecovillage 1 in Greater Noida West also fell ill due to suspected water contamination, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. A similar crisis occurred in September 2024 at Ecovillage 2, where over 800 residents suffered from waterborne illnesses linked to contaminated water supplies. The repeated occurrence of such incidents raises critical questions about the maintenance and quality of water supplies in high-rise societies across Greater Noida. Poorly maintained water tanks and a lack of oversight have been cited as contributing factors to the contamination. With rapid urbanisation in the area, concerns regarding infrastructure maintenance are becoming more pressing, especially as the population continues to grow.

The ongoing crisis in Ajnara Homes highlights the urgent need for better management of water systems in residential societies. Given the growing number of similar incidents in the region, authorities must take swift action to ensure that proper safety measures are in place to prevent such outbreaks from occurring in the future. As the investigation into the contamination continues, residents are anxiously awaiting the results of the water tests, which will hopefully offer clarity and guide future preventive measures. In the meantime, the Greater Noida Authority and the health department are under increasing pressure to address the problem. With rising concerns over public health, it is crucial that the authorities not only identify the root cause of the contamination but also implement robust measures to safeguard the health of residents across the region.

As the investigation continues, residents are calling for greater accountability from both the authorities and the management of high-rise societies to ensure the delivery of clean, safe drinking water. If the water contamination is confirmed, it will be a stark reminder of the pressing need for improved infrastructure and maintenance in rapidly developing urban areas.

Over 500 Residents Fall Ill Due to Contaminated Water in Greater Noida