Speak Up
City’s drinking water is a mix of ailments. When slumdwellers draw water from pipelines, contamination is certain: Anuradha Deshpande
Updated : Nov 21, 2013, 01:44 PM IST
City’s drinking water is a potent mix of gastro, amoebiasis and other ailments.
Slums along pipelines muddy our waters
Till recently, the drinking water in my residential complex was getting mixed with hard water. The pipes carrying potable water and hard water were running too close to each other, and both had sprung leaks. As a result, every evening, drinking water was getting contaminated. The taste used to change and when you boiled it, and you had white residue floating. The problem stopped when the plumbing was changed.
However, the bigger problem is happening right under the noses of the BMC. Right outside the pumping station at the Indian Oil junction in Andheri, slumdwellers freely draw water from the underground pipes. They wash cars, utensils, clothes and bathe right outside the facility. It's no surprise then that the water gets contaminated. It's a common sight but everyone chooses to turn a blind eye.
In fact, you will find slums all along the huge pipelines that carry water around Mumbai. Whether its JB Nagar in Andheri or the pipelines at Bandra, slums have proliferated around pipelines. When slumdwellers draw water from these pipes, contamination is inevitable. The entire city is at risk. Why can't the officials make sure that there is no habitation within 100 meters of these pipelines? That will bring down the risk of contamination in a major way. — Anuradha Deshpande. Versova
Mass jaundice has made me paranoid
Two years ago, simply because of contaminated water, my entire family had a severe attack of jaundice.
In fact at that time, almost every family in Juhu had at least one member who suffered from jaundice. Despite using a water purifier, we all fell sick.
After that experience, I immediately shifted to e-boiling which is supposed to be more effective. The experience was so bad that I still boil water even after it has been cleaned in a water purifier. I completely avoid street food in my locality because Juhu is infamous for its contaminated water. — Krishne Kalati. Juhu
Great big shout
Do you have a water purifier at home?
37 % Yes
63 % No
Do you trust bottled water which is available in the market?
35 % Yes
65 % No
Do you prefer soft drinks to water when dining out?
47 % Yes
53 % No
10 ways to get your water clean