New Delhi: Residents of north-west Delhi's Bhalaswa resettlement colony have complained about the alleged supply of contaminated water by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and claimed it has caused various water-borne diseases in the area.
NGO Bhalaswa Lok Shakti Maanch (BLSM) said it had carried out laboratory testing of drinking water in the area and found a high concentration of fluoride in it.
When contacted, DJB said it has taken up the matter with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) as the maintenance of pipelines was under it.
The NGO said it has found the presence of fluorides, E.Coli bacteria and a heavy amount of solid waste in the drinking water in most localities in Bhalaswa.
"Our reports have clearly shown the presence of various fluorides in the water being supplied by DJB. But the authorities are refuting the claim," said Manmohan Singh, a member of the organisation.
The report by the NGO found that the water supplied through bulk connection had heavy "impurities" and was "not fit for human consumption."
Illnesses like Typhoid, which is caused by the E.Coli bacteria, and skin diseases are common among the population, a number of residents said.
The NGO alleged that DJB has not responded to a series of complaints about the supply of "contaminated water".
"We have written to the DUSIB to look into the matter. DJB is not responsible for the pipeline connection, which seems to be the source of the contamination," said DJB spokesperson Sanjam Cheema.
According to the NGO, water is supplied through "bulk connection" by DJB and the pipeline connectivity to various localities in the area was under DUSIB.
"The groundwater is severely contaminated due to a landfill site located next to the area. Water supplied by DJB tankers is not fit for drinking," said Singh.
Residents have installed a handful of hand-pumps to draw groundwater but some of them have been painted red by DJB to caution that the groundwater was unfit for consumption.
A separate study by NGO Hazard Centre on water supplied by DJB tankers had indicated traces of chlorine and fluoride in the same.
