Agencies gear up to revamp drinking water supply in Ghaziabad locality where two kids died

Ghaziabad: After a diarrhoea outbreak led to the death of two minors at Swarn Jayanti Puram locality in Ghaziabad last week, the district health department has suggested laying of new water pipelines so that residents have access to safe drinking water

Ghaziabad: After a diarrhoea outbreak led to the death of two minors at Swarn Jayanti Puram locality in Ghaziabad last week, the district health department has suggested laying of new water pipelines so that residents have access to safe drinking water.

HT Image

A seven-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy from the locality died after falling severely ill and health department officials confirmed that they died after drinking contaminated water.

Officials said that drinking water samples failed the safety tests and there was presence of H2S (hydrogen sulfide), which indicates mixing of sewage water in drinking water pipelines.

“Our teams are working round the clock after 30 people fell ill in the locality. They are getting treatment. We have suggested that new water lines should be laid from the point where the water supply is safe. It should be provided at 10 static points in the locality. Otherwise, people may continue to fall ill due to contamination. The issue has been conveyed to different agencies,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, district surveillance officer.

The locality is yet to be handed over to the Ghaziabad municipal corporation and is still maintained by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA).

Speaking to HT over the issue, residents said that unhygienic conditions and overflow of filthy water from nearby ponds compromised their drinking water; besides the overhead tank water was also found to have the presence of insects.

“The first batch of water samples failed the test and there was presence of H2S. Some samples have also been sent for testing in Lucknow in order to find if there is any other contaminant present in the water. More samples are being taken from houses where people have not been affected. The entire issue of people falling ill and two deaths resulted due to contaminated water,” Dr Gupta added.

GDA officials said that they have roped in water tankers to meet the immediate needs of residents.

“Our engineers are working to find out if the old water pipeline is intact or not. Once this is established, we will decide if any new water line is needed or not. Sewer jetting machines have also been pressed into service to flush out filthy water,” said GDA chief engineer Rakesh Kumar Gupta.