Indore Water Contamination Deaths: Govt Survey Had Flagged Risks as Early as 2016-17

New Delhi: Amid the outrage over the deaths of 10 people in Indore owing to contaminated drinking water, it has been found that the tragedy took place despite government surveys highlighting risks in water supply systems over the years.

The Union government’s Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections 2024, which covered 15,094 rural households between September and October 2024 and was released last month, had found that in Indore district, only 33% of surveyed rural households received potable water, which officials described as below acceptable levels, reported Times of India.

Meanwhile, a ground-level investigation by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board’s in 2016-17 had found groundwater contamination across Indore, including Bhagirathpura.

As per the study, which covered 60 locations across Indore and samples were drawn from borewells, hand pumps and other groundwater sources used by residents, total coliform levels exceeding 10 MPN per 100ml in nearly all samples analysed in laboratories, reported Times of India.

Scientists associated with the testing, speaking on condition of anonymity told the newspaper that such levels clearly indicated faecal contamination caused by sewage ingress into groundwater sources.

The state pollution control board had formally communicated the findings to IMC, recommending that the affected water sources be declared unsafe for drinking.

The report had made it clear that groundwater in large parts of Indore could not be considered potable owing to persistent sewage contamination, particularly in areas with old pipelines, inadequate drainage separation, and waterlogging.

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