In a startling revelation, a study has found that more than 90 percent of the water supplied by Jal Sansthan in State capital Dehradun is contaminated. It was found that the water got contaminated by excess chlorination and by faecal Coli bacteria. Interestingly quality of water being supplied to the residences of Minister for women and child welfare government of Uttarakhand Rekha Arya, District Magistrate, District Judge and BJP MlA from Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi was also not found up to the mark.
Informing about the results of the study, the Secretary of the Society of Pollution and Environment Conservation Scientists (SPECS), Dr Brij Mohan Sharma said that volunteers collected 76 samples from all 60 wards and slum areas along with some posh area of Dehradun from May 2017 to October 2017. The study showed that out of 76 samples, 74 samples of potable water were not found up to mark.
In 24 samples, residual chlorine was found while faecal coliform bacterium, an indication of mixing of sewage water, in potable water was at 39 places. At two places oil and grease were also found.
Dr Sharma said that excess of chlorine in potable water is harmful for skin and hair as it can cause ulcers. “If your potable water consists of Fecal Coliform then it can cause diarehoea, stomach ache, gastroentitis, and jaundice. It is very harmful for the infants and old aged people,’’ he informed.
The SPESC secretary further informed that chlorine can be very harmful for the human body and the standard value for residual chlorine is 0.2mg/ litre. He informed that the total Coliform should not more than 10 MPN/100m and in the potable water it should be altogether absent.
Dr Sharma said that it is a myth that tap water is always fresh. “It is as fresh as stored water in a clean utensil. If the amount of chlorine in supplied water is high then water should be stored for 6-12 hours before use,’’ he informed.
Sharma informed that the studies show that the water quality is deteriorating steadily in Dehradun. He attributed it on ageing infrastructure and increasing pressure on the water supply system due sudden increase in the urban, sub-urban population in Dehradun.