Contaminated water supply poses disease outbreak threat in Chandar Nagar of Ward 92

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 6

Residents are living under the threat of an outbreak of water-borne diseases as they are getting stinking and visibly contaminated water at their houses located in Chandar Nagar of Ward 92 here for the past four days.

The civic body that supplies the water is yet to find out the fault behind the contamination. The residents of the area said it seems sewage was getting mixed in the water supply line as the dirty water smells like sewage.

Water tankers have not been even arranged to provide safe drinking water to people due to the apathy of the civic body authorities. Hence, the residents are forced to buy

drinking water bottles from the market. Moreover, several residents of street number 1 are bringing water from other localities too.

Amarjit Singh of Chandar Nagar, street number 1, said: “We are getting dirty water since Friday morning. It smells like sewage. The civic body is yet to resolve the issue. The water tank installed on the rooftop of our house is stinking too due to the storage of contaminated water. We demand from the MC to ensure the provision of safe drinking water in the area. I bring water from a nearby locality.”

He said: “When we contacted MC officials, they said the sewerage lines are being cleaned with suction machines. But there is no information as to how the water being supplied by the MC is getting contaminated. The civic body should take immediate steps to resolve the problem.”

Another resident, Raju, said: “Dirty water that emanates foul smell is being supplied to us these days. We have stopped storing water in the tank due to the stench emanating from the water. We need to get the water tank and water filters cleaned now. Currently, I purchase drinking water bottles from the market while water required for other purposes is being brought from another colony. We want from the civic body authorities to find out the fault and restore the safe drinking water supply at the earliest.”

Meanwhile, councillor Harvinder Singh could not be contacted for comments.

MC’s SDO Anshul Garcha said the sewerage line of the area was plugged for cleaning sewerage pipes with a super suction machine. “It seems somebody’s private water supply connection may have got damaged and it could be the reason behind the contaminated water supply in the area. Once the sewerage-related work is completed, we will be able to find out the fault from where water was getting contaminated.”

Residents making arrangements on their own

Water tankers have not been even arranged to provide safe drinking water to people due to the apathy of the civic body authorities in Chandar Nagar. Hence, residents are forced to buy drinking water bottles from the market. Moreover, several residents of street number 1 are bringing water from other localities too.