Quality of potable water in at least 66,761 habitats across the States has been found to be contaminated by either one or more chemicals like arsenic, fluoride, iron, salinity and nitrate, threatening the health of over 3 crore people living in these pockets, as per the latest Government data. With 22,254 contaminated drinking water habitats, Rajasthan tops the list followed by West Bengal (11,429) and Assam (8,977). In Rajasthan, a total 89,75,350 people face health threat due to chemically contaminated water while health of as many as 97,26,690 locals is in peril in West Bengal.
Similarly, in Assam 33,50,893 people face health threat due to toxic water, according to the statistics available from the Union Water and Sanitation Ministry.
Arsenic contamination has been reported widely across northern Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh with a total 1800 pockets in the country found to have water laced with the metal.
Similarly, 12727 habitats across the states have been hit by fluoride. Heavy metals is through industrial waste dumped untreated into water-systems while nitrates is due to excessive and prolonged use of fertilisers. As per the statistics, 15617 habitats across the States have gone saline. A senior official from the Ministry admitted that the “extent can be high. But what is most worrying is that if such water is not treated before consumption, it might cause various health complications including cancer.”
According to health experts, consumption of fluoride contaminated water can lead to yellowing of teeth, affects the backbone and eventually lead to a bone crippling disease. Nitrates in drinking water can lead to respiratory and digestive disorders especially among infants. Arsenic contamination damages the nervous system and cause vascular diseases and skin cancers.
The official pointed out that out of total of 17,13,303 rural habitations in the country, there are 3,76,343 partially covered habitats where drinking water supply is less than the prescribed norms of 40 lpcd (liter per capita per day).