Even as the Garhwa district is yet to tackle the dreaded disease of fluorosis in Pratapur and Garbandh villages due to presence of alarming levels of fluoride in its ground water, there is more bad news for the district. The drinking water and sanitation department (DWSD) has begun a survey of hand pumps that have become unfit for use because of presence of fluoride in the water.

Fluorosis that leaves people crippled is threatening to spread across the district as 15 out of 19 blocks has high levels of fluoride content in the potable water. It should be below 1.5 pm. According to data available by the Public Health and Engineering Department, Garhwa fluoride content excess found at 393 colonies in the district.

The excessive water fluoride content are in 124 colonies of Meral block,71 colonies of  Bhandariya block, 27 colonies of Bhawnathpur block, 35 colonies in China block, 10 colonies of Dandai block,46 colonies of Dhurki block, 3 colonies of Garhwa Sadar, 7 colonies Of Ketar block, 3 colonies of Manjhiaon block, 12 colonies of Nagar Untari block, 25 colonies of Ramkanda block, 26 colonies of Bisunpura block , 2 colonies of

Sagma block and one colony each of Ramkanda - Ranka blocks. The data on the basis of water sample study revealed startling facts, said Superintending Engineer of PHED.

Garhwa DC Neha Arora said that the district administration has taken several steps to address the problem.  PHED Executive Engineer has been asked to immediately put red marks on the hand pumps and prevent people from taking water from the tube wells. It has also been instructed to make available water to them through tankers.

She also said to the Civil Surgeon to hold medical checkup camps at affected colonies. It is reported that excessive flouride is found in deep water so when the water comes up plantation would be done in these colonies. Besides this, pounds, check dams would also be constructed, she added.

The DC said that purifier machine would be installed at every affected hand pumps and water supplied will be made available through pipeline. The work of construction of a Water Treatment Plant would start. After construction of plant pure drinking water would be supplied through pipeline, the DC informed.